I ranked the best skiing documentaries I could find.
Enjoy!
1) McConkey
Shane McConkey is no longer with us, but he has surely left behind one wild highlight reel.
The documentary “McConkey,” looks at the late extreme skier’s short but daredevil life.
Directed by a crew of McConkey’s family and friends, the doc plucks viewers straight from their humdrum existences and drops them at the edge of another planet.
This is a place where only the boldest and slightly crazy reside.
This is not a ski film to calm the nerves.
The doc traces McConkey’s evolution from an aggressive, wisecracking moppet on sticks to an innovative pioneer of death-flirting stunts like BASE jumping on skis.
The stunts captured here are not for the average weekend carver with a hot cocoa waiting for them at the bottom.
We’re talking 1,000-foot cliff drops, impish taunting of mountainside avalanches, parachute curves that narrowly averted disaster.
All with a rebel’s smirk stretched across McConkey’s stubble-framed mug.
And make no mistake—McConkey’s addiction to adrenaline is what ultimately led to his demise.
And the filmmakers don’t hide that.
At 39 and the father of a young daughter, McConkey perished in a freak 2009 BASE jumping accident in the Dolomites mountains of Italy.
It’s a tragic end, but expect little dour moralizing.
McConkey spent life joyously courting edge, and “McConkey” prefers to let his infectious, if heart-palpitating, exploits do the talking.
Viewers prone to vertigo be warned: this wild ride may cause contact-high nerves.
Watch “it on:”McConkey” for free (with ads) on Tubi or rent it on YouTube, AppleTV et al. Check here for the latest streaming options: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/mcconkey
2) Steeper and Deeper
Skiing steep? These guys do deeper.
Don Brolin and Kurt Miller corralled some two-plank legends for “Steeper and Deeper.”
Their mission: uncover untouched slopes that give even hardcore carvers vertigo. Then slay them with style.
Billy Kidd’s here. Stein Eriksen too. There’s Scot Schmidt, whose airs off Rocky Mountain cliffs sweat your palms more than any X Games.
They seek unskied lines everywhere from Chile to Turkey to tropical Hawaii (!), chasing that floaty first-track freedom.
The cinematography sparkles like diamond dust. You’ll laugh at their snow camp living, testing gear tweaks that toy with doom.
You’ll wince as Schmidt launches into space off no-fall zones.
By the climax you feel: I can’t do that. But maaaaybe…with 30 more years of skiing and a lift-ticket to guts.
For avid skiers, it’s a celluloid adrenaline rush.
For the rest of us, it just looks awesome.
And painful.
Luckily Brolin, Miller and producers Kurt Miller and Peter Speek kept the frosty sights coming and bones intact.
But remember the lesson as you drive home with achy knees from your local slope: for this wild crew, steeper is deeper. Always.
You can watch “Steeper and Deeper” on Outside Online here at if you have a paid subscription. You can also usually buy it from WarrenMiller.com here: https://warrenmiller.com/film-archive/steeper-and-deeper (but it’s disabled right now as I write this). You might also check out here for new streaming options that become available: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/warren-millers-steeper-and-deeper
3) Ski Movie
Before the days of three-part “Powder” epics, Matchstick Productions cornered the ski flick game.
And they delivered a millennial hype injection with the first in their Ski Movie trilogy, a 2000 VHS-era artifact that endures as a neo-retro cult classic.
This is “Ski Movie” (aka “Ski Movie I”)
The doc is stuffed with a murderers’ row of talent like Seth Morrison, Shane McConkey and Jonny Moseley.
Then you’ve got newcomers Chris Davenport and Vincent Dorian making for a frenetic portal bottle brewed with fresh stoke.
Spliced scenes of Jackson Hole faceshots.
Chamonix cliff launches (sorry again, Shane).
Wendy Fisher’s graceful steeps carving.
And Phillipe Poirier’s primal scream slashing captured the era when limits (and surgeon bank accounts) ballooned.
The late Don Brolin’s photography inspires travelers through time.
Lensmen chased riders like a slalom course, mirroring their daredevil drops.
Brolin’s angles tumbling in sync with Scot Schmidt’s celebration howls showcase skiing’s extreme trajectory.
Matchstick’s imprint was cemented with this trilogy’s opener.
It said skiing no longer was just a sport.
“Ski Movie” established the formula to foment modern masterpieces like “All I Can.”
Million-dollar HD lens not required when creative courage collides with guts (and knees) on the edge.
Watch “Ski Movie” for free on YouTube by clicking the video embed above or going to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQuvZX7FFIs. If that doesn’t work, check back at JustWatch for more options.
4) The Blizzard of Aahh’s (1988)
“The Blizzard of Aahh’s,” atheclassic ski doc released in 1988, is like the cool uncle of ski films.
Directed by Greg Stump, it’s a cultural phenom that redefined extreme skiing.
Think of “The Blizzard of Aahh’s” as a rebel yell on skis.
Stump takes us on a wild ride with pioneers like Scot Schmidt, Glen Plake, and Mike Hattrup, who turned skiing into an art form.
These guys aren’t just skiing; they’re dancing down near-vertical slopes with a fearlessness that’s almost surreal.
The doc’s genius lies in its style. It’s the 80s, so expect a killer soundtrack and an edgy vibe that makes you want to grab a pair of skis and head for the nearest snowy peak.
Stump’s approach is part doc, part rock, creating a ski film that’s as entertaining as it is inspiring.
The doc takes you to legendary locales like Chamonix and Squaw Valley, showing skiing in a way that had never been done before.
Watch “it on:”The Blizzard of Aahhh’s” for free by clicking the embed video link above or going here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryaGjxLEwcE
5) Groove: Requiem in the Key of Ski
Ski doc “Groove: Requiem in the Key of SkI” is packed full of ski porn.
We see a baby-faced Schmidt landing a Godzilla air so ahead of its time it wouldn’t get tagged on the ‘Gram today.
Plake doesn’t just blast down steep and deep terrain – he sings Happy Birthday while doing it (iconic!).
Every aging middle manager wants Shane McConkey’s steeze.
There are snowbiking wipeouts, Tanner Hall being baby Tanner Hall, and evolutionary glimpses at what became street skiing.
I mean COME ON! Director Greg Stump spun the nostalgia chambers at full tilt boogie to craft the perfect comfort viewing ski safari for Father Winter faithful.
I don’t see any place to watch the entire “Groove: Requiem in the Key of Ski” online. You can check back at JustWatch for streaming options
6) Ski Bum: The Warren Miller Story
Before action sports got extreme, Warren Miller got gnarly with ski cinema.
The doc “Ski Bum” carves up mountaintops of memories to trace Miller’s path from vagabond ski bum to godfather of frozen frolic films.
Yep, the late, great Miller – patron saint of schussing the steeps and deepest while cracking wise in voiceovers.
Miller?
Glorifying daredevil descents down places we’d never visit outside celluloid? .
Director Patrick Creadon’s leverages Miller’s globetrotting 16mm reels.
Skiing in shorts through the Sahara?? Flagpole sitter?? What didn’t this sublime maestro try astracks stretched towards horizon?
And it’s set to swingin’ big band and jazz soundtracks giving it that nostaligc feel.
Watch “Ski Bum: The Warren Miller Story” for free with ads on Roku or by renting it on Amazon, Apple TV, YouTube et al. Check here for full streaming options: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/ski-bum-the-warren-miller-story
7) Supervention
“Supervention,” the 2013 ski and snowboard flick, is a wild ride.
Directed by Even Sigstad and Filip Christensen, it’s not just about shredding powder; it’s a visual epic about pushing limits.
Picture this: skiers and snowboarders turning mountains into their personal playgrounds.
The film takes you from Norway’s snowy peaks to Alaska’s rugged backcountry. It’s not just scenic; it’s heart-pounding.
The camera work? Think GoPro meets art house – you’re not just watching, you’re right there with them, feeling every jump and jib.
What makes “Supervention” cool is its focus on the athletes.
These aren’t just thrill-seekers; they’re artists on snow.
The doc digs into their stories, showing what drives them to chase these insane lines and jumps. It’s about passion and a connection to the mountains that’s hard to put into words.
Watch “Supervention” for free (with ads) on Tubi or Vudu Fandango; or rent it on Apple TV, Amazon and the usual $places. Check back here for the latest in streaming options: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/supervention
8) Few Words
“Few Words,” the 2012 ski doc, is a gem. It spotlights Candide Thovex, a freeskiing legend. This isn’t your usual ski flick; it’s Thovex’s journey from French Alps’ kid to global icon.
Directed with flair, “Few Words” pairs stunning slopes with Thovex’s story. It’s a mix of breathtaking runs and deep dives into his skiing philosophy.
Thovex’s approach? It’s all about the art of the turn, the perfect line, making each descent a masterpiece.
What makes this film stand out is its raw, unfiltered look at Thovex’s life.
It’s not just about his victories and incredible stunts; it’s about the grind, the falls, and the resilience needed to be a top freeskier.
The cinematography? It’s top-notch. You feel every jump, every landing. And Thovex’s quiet, introspective moments add depth. It’s a rare look inside the mind of a skiing great.
For skiing fans, “Few Words” is a must-watch. You get to see Thovex’s awe-inspiring talent up close.
And for those new to the sport, it’s an eye-opener.
This doc isn’t just about skiing; it’s about passion, dedication, and the pursuit of perfection on snow.
Watch “Few Words” for free on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpi2fc5vfNs
9) All.I.Can
“All.I.Can,” the 2011 ski documentary is a thrilling blend of world-class skiing and environmental consciousness.
Directed by Dave Mossop and Eric Crosland, this doc explores the relationship between humans and nature.
Set against some of the most stunning backdrops – from the snowy peaks of British Columbia to the deserts of Morocco – “All.I.Can” is as much a feast for the eyes as it is food for thought.
Mossop and Crosland intertwine breathtaking ski sequences with a powerful environmental message.
The film showcases skiers not just as athletes, but as global citizens who understand the fragility of our ecosystems.
The cinematography in “All.I.Can” is nothing short of groundbreaking. Expect to be wowed by the inventive camera work that captures the raw beauty and sheer magnitude of the landscapes. It’s a visual symphony that perfectly complements the film’s environmental ethos.
For ski enthusiasts, “All.I.Can” is a thrilling ride that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible on skis. And for those passionate about the environment, it’s a poignant reminder of our responsibility to the planet. This documentary isn’t just about skiing; it’s a bold statement on sustainability, innovation, and the power of human connection to the natural world.
Watch “All.I.Can” for free (with ads) on Tubi. It’s also available to rent on a few streamers. See here for all options: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/all-i-can
10) The Great Ecstasy of Woodcarver Steiner (1974)
Before flips, twists and X Games bravado, humility ruled air time in skiing.
See Walter Steiner.
The doc “The Great Ecstasy of Woodcarver Steiner” hoists viewers back to 1970s ski jumping stewardship via Swiss sorcerer Walter Steiner.
It’s directed by Werner Herzog and his contemplative lens.
Herzog foregoes statistics and scorecards for lingering human focus on Steiner – an introspective craftsman who transforms self and skis into flying might.
“I find the courage only from within myself…everything outside is frightening,” Steiner intones via subtitles.
Serene hillside visuals of Steiner and fellow leapers arcing through ether evoke ballet as they float across Bavarian landscapes as soothing as hot cocoa fondues.
Then scenes shift to Steiner’s carpentry shop, the raspy hum of his plane sculpting wooden boards destined for bond with snow.
Skiing and wood carving — I know a lot of folks who’d dream of that life!
By the doc’s end, we revere Steiner saintly as his countrymen crowding on the hill.
Not just celebrating world records falling, but human willingness to abandon earthly bounds.
Over four decades later, “Steiner” still grips skiing’s spiritual core: a daring journey carved across snow and self-examined soul.
Watch “it on:”The Great Ecstasy of Woodcarver Steiner” for free on YouTube (with subtitles) by clicking the video embed link above or going here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTdQ2fGlrq8
Thanks for reading!
Rob Kelly, Chief Maniac of Daily Doc