SNOWBOARD ACADEMY (1997)
“Snowboard Academy,” a 1997 slapstick comedy directed by John Shepphird, dives into the rivalry between skiers and snowboarders at a struggling ski resort. Corey Haim stars as Chris Barry, a laid-back snowboarder and younger son of resort owner Dave Barry (Joe Flaherty), whose business faces closure due to unsafe conditions and a looming insurance audit. Dave hires Rudy James (Jim Varney), a bumbling entertainer turned safety officer, to whip the place into shape. Meanwhile, Chris clashes with his pompous skier brother, Paul (Paul Hopkins), who scorns snowboarding and wants it banned from the slopes. Adding to the chaos, Dave’s estranged wife, Mimi (Brigitte Nielsen), schemes to sabotage the resort and claim it in their divorce.
The plot thickens when Chris bets Paul he can turn a ragtag group of novice snowboarders into pros in two weeks, proving their worth to join the ski patrol. Rudy’s accident-prone antics—like setting off dynamite for “avalanche control” on gentle slopes—only escalate the madness. Shot in Quebec’s Chantecler Ski Resorts, the film captures ’90s snowboarding’s rising craze with montages of tricks and wipeouts, though its low-budget roots show in shaky effects and a thin script. Mimi’s plan unravels as the brothers uncover her sabotage, uniting to save the resort. In a climactic race, Chris’ crew outshines Paul’s elitist skiers, winning over the insurance agent and securing the lodge’s future.
With Varney’s Ernest-esque slapstick, Nielsen’s icy seductress vibe, and Haim’s cool-kid charm, “Snowboard Academy” aims for zany fun but lands as a cult oddity. Critics panned its crude humor and disjointed gags—think ski poles with grappling hooks—but fans of ’80s-style comedies embrace its earnest absurdity. It’s a goofy, snow-dusted time capsule, more memorable for its quirks than its finesse.
