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The 8 Funniest Ski Movie Scenes of All Time

Originally posted on Powder | By Ian Greenwood | Last updated Mar 8, 2025 7:12 AM ET

Skiing and comedy go hand in hand. Whether it's a long-running inside joke or a hilarious crash, it's hard to visit the mountains and not find something to laugh about. These eight ski films and movie moments capture that freewheeling and unserious spirit well.

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1. Saucer Boy and Shane McConkey Go Big—Claim

The late great Shane McConkey is remembered for a lot. His skiing, his sense of humor—he knew, above all, how to turn heads while making people laugh. One contribution—his alter-ego, Saucer Boy—expertly lampooned professional skiers who take themselves too seriously.

The idea came to McConkey during a film trip to Alaska. He'd torn his ACL and with nothing better to do, grabbed a saucer sled and a bottle of booze. Saucer Boy was born. The character emerged multiple times over the years, but we're partial to his appearance in Matchstick Productions' film Claim. It showcases everything that McConkey did best.

2. The Whole Movie—Weak Layers

A ski comedy made by and featuring real skiers? Say less.

Weak Layers, a film from director and comedian Katie Burrell, tells the story of three friends who, after being evicted from their mountain town home, enter a ski movie competition in a bid to pay rent. Mishaps ensue, and given that Weak Layers is packed with laughs and ski industry cameos from front to back, it's difficult to pinpoint one moment that stands apart from the rest.

Our advice? Watch the whole thing. You can stream it for a few bucks here. Movies like this don't come along very often.

3. A Dramatic Drone Accident—Ritsch's Roll

Two years ago, Legs of Steel, a European ski film production company, streamed a live backcountry jump competition called Ritsch's Roll. The event featured a massive jump and a stacked cast of athletes, including Markus Eder, Ferdinand Dahl, and Tanner Hall.

There was a catch, though. Ritsch's Roll wasn't an actual competition, nor was it live. Instead, the video was a prolonged bit.

As the competition progressed, strange details began to emerge. Tanner Hall scored a 69.69. The event claimed it featured an AI judging system. The "advertisements" were for products that didn't exist.

Then, at the end of the fake livestream, a drone speeds toward an announcer and beheads him. That final twist (the announcer obviously didn't get beheaded in real life—it was part of the bit) sold the fever-dream-esque premise of Ritsch's Roll.

4. "Both of Them?"—Dumb Dumber

What should you say to a stranger you fancy in a ski town? Harry Dunne, one part of the idiotic duo in the comedy classic Dumb and Dumber, wouldn't know. In one moment from the film, he fails miserably to make small talk with a woman at a gas station, asking her if she owns both the single skis strapped to her roof rack.

The rest of Dumb and Dumber takes Harry and his associate, Lloyd, on a raucous journey through Aspen, Colorado. While not a ski movie per se, the film has enough references to ski culture to earn a deserved position on this list.

5. Elyse Saugstad Delivers an Epic Punchline—Here, Hold My Kid

Created by professional skiers Elyse Saugstad and Jackie Paaso, Here, Hold My Kid is a mockumentary that lampoons the ski industry. The premise is simple: Saugstad and Paaso—playing themselves—compete for a contract with a fictional protein company called Power Powder.

However, at the end of the film, a reveal mixes up the circumstances of the competition. Upon hearing the news, Paaso takes a diplomatic tact, but Saugstad doesn't mince words, delivering a punchline that makes the film.

6. Colby West Gets Down to Tom Jones—Claim

Speaking of skiers with a penchant for goofing off, there's also Colby West. In another segment from Claim, he showed off his suspiciously good lip-syncing skills while skiing to a number from Tom Jones. Would you rather be able to lip-sync like it's your job or land a double cork? West doesn't have to choose one or the other—he can do both.

7. The Art of the "La Grave"—Behind the Line

In one episode of Behind the Line, Teton Gravity Research introduced us to "La Graving." The term is borrowed from the name of La Grave, France—a region known for its tough off-piste skiing—and describes the art of getting extreme when it's not necessary. Throughout this episode, TGR pushes that notion to the limit. We see them dry-tooling inside an apartment, billy-goating to get above a small cliff, and skiing through patches of grass.

It's a silly joke, of course, but there's something to be said about "La Graving" and making the most of your surroundings. You don't need big mountains to goof off and have a good time.

8. The Gang Rips—It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

The Gang Goes Skiing takes the barflies off It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and, in an homage to goofy 80s ski movies, brings them to the slopes. The central crew in the sitcom are known for operating an Irish dive bar in southern Philadelphia, so you’d be forgiven if you assumed that none of them knew how to ski—but you’d also be wrong. Dee, Mac, and Dennis rip. Charlie, the fourth friend, is the only outlier, and we get some laughs at his expense as he tumbles through a ski resort seating area.

This article first appeared on Powder and was syndicated with permission.

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