Chinese Downhill

[@bfranco1519]

This movie alone made me the ski bum I am today!

[@mikeskidmore6754]

1983 was my Last Skibum Winter.

[@paulkersey820]

This movie has so deeply impacted my life!

[@Mrcfrickie]

Back when movies were awesome! I want to go back to the 80’s

[@DaveAngelescu]

I remember seeing this in the theater back on a Friday night in 8th grade then going skiing the next day with my friends and breaking my leg playing Chinese Downhill. Outside of Warren Millers flix, Hot Dog is one of the best ski flix to date.

[@MrSuicidal69]

Saw this in the theatres in Sydney, Australia. I remember there was a teacher's strike, so many students had the day off and headed to the cinema to see Hot Dog. I remember lots of lollies/sweets/candies being hurled about during the film. Great memories.

[@clintonstonge8605]

I also got the pleasure of seeing this in the theater back then. I'm gonna take a guess that you're 53 years old. You might be 52 cause I'm around the same age.

[@kevindukes3012]

Warren Miller movies are still the best. Visiting Sugarbush as a kid in the 80s, they would always be playing at one of his movies at local spots.

[@bvpvandit2429]

I blew out a knee doing this. Great movie though. My mom took me also in 8th grade with some friends. I think she regretted that decision after the BJ Squirrel received in the gondola.

[@kirkrasmussen9629]

@DaveAngelescu - I was at Squaw Valley skiing for spring break when they filmed this. The shot of him going through the cafeteria and jumping out the windows was getting set up when we went skiing by. Most of those folks sitting at the tables were people who were there to ski. The ones whose tables were crashed were stunt men. There were signs everywhere that a movie was being filmed. The Chinese Downhill was filmed off Granite Chief on the backside of the ski area. One of our favorite runs - so we were bummed that it was off limits for a few days. We couldn’t figure out what they were doing when we were on the chair lift and saw all these guys start skiing down the hill and clobbering each other. They were up there for hours, it must have taken them about 12 takes to get all those shots in. We also saw one of the takes on the trophy finale. It was cool to see.

[@jeffpribyl6488]

This used to be the beginning of every ski season. Hot Dog and Warren Miller can't believe its been 40 years

[@MrGuitarzan985]

This movie needed a sequel.

[@thesean3194]

Great 80s flick. Had everything a 15 year old could want in a movie.

[@ynot0714]

Hell, same for a 21 year old. Lol.

[@CharlieUnderwood-fx5vz]

Who you shitting u watched it 4 Shannon tweed like me at 8 you

[@kevinquartemont2313]

Shannon Tweed! My oh my.

[@shortwidgets]

Ahhhhhh the 80's movies of skiing. We called this the kamikaze run. My trick was to use my pole to push the tab on the back of the ski binding so their boot would pop out! 🤣 What a wonderful time to be alive! Peppermint schnapps, skiing and women! ❤️😘🤣

[@jamiecook3966]

A sure can relate Fortress Mountain, Lake Louise & Sunshine Village Near Banff Alberta I will Never forget the good times.

[@ptr1537]

We called it the dash for cash at arapahoe basin, co circa mid 70’s

[@phishfearme2]

Kendo - "whata the fucka is Chinese downhill" is the best line in the movie

[@Cowicide]

Why?

[@phishfearme2]

@@Cowicide wouldn't you kinda think a ski experienced Japanese guy would know what Chinese downhill is? don't you think a Japanese guy saying "Whata the fucka" is even the least bit funny??

[@MrOhmygoditsben]

​@@Cowicide because he's the only Chinese one in the crowd, and yet he's the only one who has no idea what a Chinese downhill is, implying that the Chinese aspect of the event name that has nothing to do with China.

[@shawncosmos5431]

Yep. Agreed. Lol

[@jonnygranville281]

​@Cowicide bc it's subtle racism that's hilarious. Also he's Chinese and never heard of Chinese downhill

[@philipbassist8255]

My wife gave me the dvd for christmas a few years ago. Best wife ever!

[@ynot0714]

I'll say, Nice! I tried to buy a vhs of it in the late 80's but it was stupid expensive, like 79.99, so my girl friend at the time, now my wife, rented it and made me a copy! But I gotta get a DVD now!

[@philipbassist8255]

@Tony A it's a must have for ski movies. P-tex lies and duct tape and blizzard of ahs. Great stuff!

[@ynot0714]

@@philipbassist8255 Yes it is! ⛷️

[@juvenal01]

Sunny side up, Sunny side down, Und Sunny zide all ZEE WAY around!😂 Nice coat Rudy...Rat?😂😂

[@kevinquartemont2313]

Hey you can kiss my a$$. Not on zis side, not on zat side, but right in zee middle.

[@ebombaci77]

One of my all time favourite movies, 'Hotdog, The Movie' from 1983, and it still rocks!

[@williamkirkpatrick8314]

Where can I watch it?

[@clintonstonge8605]

1984

[@williambonnie-do7yz]

😳My life will never be the same, having seen this. In what way the experience shall manifest itself is unknown at this time. But, I know I am changed.😳

[@kevinberger3501]

I always keep a crumpled up pile of bills that is exactly $40, just in case.

[@phishfearme2]

actuallY $40 goes into $2300, 57 1/2 times - squirrel was probably a bit short

[@jillsmcfarland2001]

In his down hill ski leathers

[@bellagabbysophia5818]

HHAHAHA. That is funny! I'm going to do the same! HAHAHAHA

[@thomascastro8791]

Ha. Perfect

[@thomascastro8791]

@@phishfearme2 Yup. Math doesn't work at all.

[@ClarkyMalarky]

Winter ski movies from the 80’s makes my heart and soul feel good. Nothing like a good old smoke screen solves all problems in the 80’s

[@rob379lqz]

Good clean fun and sportsmanship! We cared back in the 1980s❤👍

[@lonememe]

I think the real hero of this scene is that cornice supporting all of their weight while they were filming multiple takes. Yiiiikes!

[@originalacousticguitar]

So many great comedies like this from the 80s. No one has a sense of humor anymore.

[@springfieldbearpatrol2937]

Dang they must have had so much fun doing these scenes

[@Holden308]

The best ski scene in the best ski movie ever

[@geraldmcdevitt3996]

I'm still waiting for a sequel!

[@Holden308]

@@geraldmcdevitt3996 aren't we all lol

[@durhrhrhrur]

Ski patrol and out cold are both good too.

[@KjetilBalstad]

There are more than one? 🙈

[@denislemieux7294]

Ski School

[@matteaucubed]

What a classic film! 5 stars!

[@signal13]

I still have my old 204's that i bought in the 80's collecting dust in my basement. My friends and I would watch this movie for motivation before every ski trip. Those were the days.

[@shawncosmos5431]

You the man skiing on those. I never got passed 190’s……I had just turned 21. Still friends with the group of people who i saw this with. Good times..

[@davidsevcik7093]

204's... yep. Mine were white and green K2's!!!!!

[@2HitWonder]

Seems like every movie in the 80's had a great soundtrack...

[@BaileyGoldstein]

i'll never forget watching this with my pops for the first time. "We used to get loaded and watch this the night before hitting Mammoth" fookin legend

[@patrickglaser1560]

Roids and cocaine... the 80s were wild

[@drewwilkin9922]

Before there were snowboarders this is how skiers got out their angries lol! Awesome movie!

[@tomkennedy8238]

I want to watch this movie in the theaters and stayed twice to see it, love the 80s and love to ski, I had my hart ballets and tomic freestyle poles

[@Del-Canada]

My fave scene from this movie. Man I wish I could live in 1984 again.

[@area51r]

when Van Halen ruled the world.

[@Del-Canada]

@@area51r Hell yeah. I owned all of their albums.

[@vancouverthaimassage1]

Now that it's 2021, It's 1984! Lol 😉

[@Del-Canada]

@@vancouverthaimassage1 I'm on my way out so I won't have to watch the planet plummet into total 1984, thankfully.

[@vancouverthaimassage1]

@@Del-Canada what do you mean by "way out"?

[@knightwolf2207]

This was one of my favorite movies in the 80s when I was in my 20s so so funny Hotdog The Movie

[@tommroy]

Hahahaha, one of my all time favorite ski movies. Haven't seen this in years!

[@speedyjim88]

HOTDOG!!! best ski movie ever! so many muff shots

[@chadmoodybto4620]

"What the f*cker is a Chinese downhill?" Legend status movie line.

[@aspiceronni4462]

The action scenes are shot surprisingly good. I get the illusion of speed going downhill.

[@Bob-eo3gf]

This and "Up the Creek" another great 80's classic.

[@caponeike]

Also... Hamburger The Motion Picture

[@martymodus7205]

Almost as good as the Better off Dead race with the "I want my $2" paperboy going over the cliff. Almost.

[@Branner1968]

YES!!!!!

[@skesno309]

Another great movie. Lol. I’m 51 and this brings back tons of good memories.

[@dougbrowne9890]

That is what got me here Marty! From Better Off Dead to Hot Dog: The Movie! Can't be bettered by any crap made today!

[@normturner4849]

The BMX bike with skis attacked to the tyres while he hollered for his $2 was unparalleled! Talk about fixated. Cusack's mom was a savagely awful cook, wasn't she? 😄🤮

[@jamesjackson502]

I wonder what the street value of that mountain is

[@DH-zm4lh]

Loved this since i was a kid.. hungry like the wolf is still in my top 20

[@michaelpoe8332]

I like the scene where Al Jareau is playing

[@tomkennedy8238]

Best ski movie /miss the 80s , got shit faced on peppermint schnapps during the movie 😂

[@howard385]

Wow! It deserved every Academy Award it received!

[@terryblessing6388]

lofl

[@davidpyrcz8970]

my childhood skiing days revolved around this movie!

[@mrenjoyable]

classic. I love how in the 80's a skier can blow through your lunch table and you still have a piece of chicken on your fork and it's like "ok".

[@Inannawhimsey]

a classic flick we incorporated it into our skiing, usually the last run creative chaos indeed

[@Modafinil]

I copied this on a videotape back in the 80s. Recently, I sought the old tape from the closet and put it in a VHS video player that was not used for over ten years. It still worked like a dream and as currently 55 yo I still found that flick quite amusing. Now my daughter knows the Chinese Downhill as well. And she also knows what kind of drinks she should avoid.

[@Underhills]

Jup. That's how we skied in the 80's.

[@mojeimja]

Much oldfashioned, very style!

[@truantray]

The hills were covered in cocaine.

[@fearlesswarrior113]

Ski Patrol another classic ski movie

[@hwnlaxboy]

Love the music classic skiing movie

[@scorpiomale3015]

How I remember seeing this movie in 1984 at the theatre! Those were great times!

[@IIISentorIII]

me too i was 1 year old, aw those were the times bro

[@JohnS-er7jh]

@@IIISentorIII LOL

[@cycleoflife7331]

I love these senseless fun loving ski movies!

[@frankloewen9318]

Know any more similar movies?

[@sidvicous613]

Ski skool

[@andrewwilson4803]

My friends and I would drive up from the Bay Area and attempt to replicate this run several times at Squaw in the 80's. From Head wall, down Mt. Run to Search Light, going balls out and on freaking 210's! Too bad Shannon Tweed was never at the bottom to greet us though.... 😁

[@keirfarnum6811]

Funny how there are never hot ski bunnies like in the movies. Just some crusty old pro patroller waiting to throw you off the mountain. 😂

[@papamarban2185]

So funny how having longer skis made everyone think you were a pro. hahaha. So crazy....skis have come a long way.

[@robbieevans6536]

Rudy Garmisch....what a legend...Squirrel was the man.

[@leehanson6855]

I forgot how much I loved this movie!!! Lets not forget, not on this side, not on that side but right in the middle!! Now I must watch this in full

[@dvdfrnzwbr]

The music sure sounds a lot like Emerson Lake and Palmer's "Fanfare For The Common Man"

[@ghostrider.13]

Awesome movie! I remember the day it came out.

[@DavidIancu]

Such an epic movie. Those born in the 60's were the luckiest... :) I would love to be there in the 70's and 80's, but I was born in '93.

[@foresakentonone4148]

One of the lost Favs of high school. Good,fun movie.

[@caruchan2367]

Best skiing movie ever! A classic!

[@dadams5274]

Met John Bossi, a freestyle skier from the 70s and 80s,and an extra in this movie. He is still skiing 100 days a season at 75 and is surfing as well! Go Bossi, you rock!

[@brendanwood1540]

That was amazing! He hit those 2x6's so hard they turned into 1/16 press board!

[@AndrewBergey]

And the 80s just kept getting better in my opinion and I called this drink the leg spreader

[@signal13]

Haha, we called Tuaca shots, "The Old Italian Leg Spreader." 😂

[@gastonave]

This is the first R rated movie I got in to see.

[@BeautifuLakesStreamsBiologists]

I gave you two thumbs up... one for your comment and a bigger one for your screen name!

[@PumaPete]

I was 13 years old. When Kendo said "whata isa fucka isa chinesea downhill" i pissed my pants Laughing. Classic movie ill never forget.

[@rushrush1209]

Great duel between 2 awesome skiers of Harkin and Rudy. Harkin wins by about a foot.

[@michaelfinn1987]

I took my girl friend to see this on our second date at the cinema. Thought it was skiing movie which it was but with bonus scenes. Absolutely loved it and so did she but I had some explaining to do.

[@tomkennedy8238]

I want to watch this movie in the theaters and stayed twice to see it

[@TheKurtsPlaceChannel]

Very entertaining and fun to watch. Thanks for posting this.

[@michaelpoe8332]

I lived for this movie. only if you did these ski tricks today in a competition, you'd be laughed off the hill

[@edx21x]

you mean like using a helmet that spews smoke?

[@TheBigrob102]

Love this movie one of my favorite 80's comedy a d the ski scenes are sick

[@alexyu2098]

Hot Dog!!!!! My inspiration!!!

[@boardtodeath46]

Still can’t believe my parents let me and my sibling watch this at 6 and 7. I’m still weary of steam rooms decades later

[@moe354sa]

definitely shannon tweed's best role

[@HelloHello-gv2gg]

Squallywood such a great Mtn to grow up shredding at. Best memories

[@hansuntfranz]

2300 bucks at 40 bucks a head to get in. The math doesn't work out but the movie works out just fine. One of my all time favorites. Wish I had the whole movie.

[@TheBoomtown4]

There were 57.5 people in the race, what’s the prob?

[@espada9]

Skiing Squaw in the 80s was the good life!

[@KaristaSwiss]

Loved him Crashing thru the building and kept on skiing :-)

[@thinkpadBentnoseTheBlind]

This movie and Copper Mountain with Jim Carrey were epic!

[@weeknders]

Maybe the greatest film ever created.

[@finnmcginn9931]

I agree.

[@bfranco1519]

What do you mean maybe? Was and is!

[@weeknders]

@bfranco1519 LoL

[@Shamus71]

I’ll be at Palisades Tahoe next which is the resort this was filled at. Used to be called Squaw Valley. I’ll be asking people which one is the Chinese Downhill”.

[@MrEss-ld3sw]

How did this movie not win an Oscar?

[@soylentteal]

Or at least a Rudy.

[@Manic_Drone_Idiom]

No werewolf action

[@noway4879]

Sick, gotta love the 80's. At least they knew how to make fun movies. Had more fun watching these 10 minutes than I do watching the shit that comes in theaters these days.

[@jdre1976]

The 80's seem a lot more cooler now then when I was 10.

[@dereklucero5785]

‘This is 100% snow”…..oh wait….wrong ski movie 😁👍🇺🇸

[@rahkinrah1963]

We had a few of these at Vail back then. They were on the hush hush though. You would get in big trouble if caught. Ski Patrol always had a way of knowing what was going on.

[@jameskleinbrook7094]

The movie that defines what living was back then

[@KjetilBalstad]

Ah. I remember when I was a kid and visited my sister I used to watch this on VHS. I was like, ski ballet looks interesting, then I saw Chinese Downhill, and my life took a different turn...

[@celticfrost239]

LOVE IT!!!! Thanks for posting this up!!!

[@RiverRat904]

I remember renting this on VHS mid 80's. Great flick!

[@corneliusevazan1284]

You didn't live it unless you watched it repeatedly on late night HBO while your parents were sleeping

[@michaelmarciniak7959]

Love this movie.

[@29guyg22]

Cool vid

[@pclifton4]

Real nice of this Rudy guy to put his trophy up for grabs after he already won it, seems like a pretty swell guy

[@peterenis8447]

If you ask me, it was the only way

[@flycubfly]

GREAT FRIGGIN MOVIE !!!

[@AndrewBergey]

And the 80s just kept getting better in my opinion

[@sparty710]

Best movie ever!!!

[@thomaslloyd8306]

The ONLY part of ANY ski movie you ever NEED to watch...

[@timothyfoleyjr2796]

In about 1968 a group of “Canadian Crazies” wanderers landed in Squaw Valley, USA. As we sat sunning ourselves between the Chamois and “The Pub”; a “Ski Patrolmen’s Bar”, they mentioned that on Saint Patrick’s Day they would hold what was called an “ ☘️ Irish Downhill “; it is basically what you see pictured here ( only it takes 2 minutes and it’s very dangerous). Norm Simmons, a Pro Patrolmen at Squaw, describes the history of the event on line; it’s not hard to find. I was a young man at the time, just old enough to drink. I had been skiing for about three years at the time and was getting pretty good. Good enough to get on the AFRC Ski Patrol in Garmich in 1973; that’s a different story. Bev Johnson had lent me a pair of 215cm. “K2 Ladies Downhill Skis”. I had been practicing the “mountain run” for a week and had the thing “nutted-up”. The “Men’s Downhill” at Squaw was no longer an FIS Run. The section up in “Siberia Bowl” and “The Waterfall” ( below the Headwall) we’re still what you might call “world class”, but most Europeans would laugh at you if you tried to make a case. In those days I was pretty gullible and Norm got me a “good one”. He approached me with a pair of skies that I recollect to be 225cm Fisher Alu ( they had 3 groves in their bases). They were “jumping skis”. He told me that “I didn’t need those “girls skis” that these whole do the trick. If Norm was any kind of man, he might have told this whole story, to the Tahoe Tribune. He eluded to someone who got into a terrible “wipeout” in the Bowl and that was me. The skis were totally uncontrollable. I almost kill another Ski Patrolmen. Anyway, I was in Europe when someone finally did get killed (they were a spectator). It was in 1973 or ‘74. They never held it again. Not until they filmed this bit of trash for the movie. l’ll tell you this: The Irish Downhill deserves a setting like “The Kandahar” or “St. Moritz” or even “Kittsbuelle”. Norm Simmons: May he Rest In Peace. I heard he feel off a lift tower. I tell you something: I’m 73 years old now, it seems people who pulled those kind of stunts on me got what was coming to them.

[@stiggmint6226]

Great story!

[@caruchan2367]

Best story ever!

[@keirfarnum6811]

Giving you a pair of jumping skis to run a “downhill” does seem a bit insane. Did they even have edges? I would have stuck with the 215s myself.

[@dereks7061]

The fact that I am not on a barstool at some old school ski resort listening to this story bums me out… because that’s a helluva story old timer! Much respect my man, I hope you are well and healthy - and still searching for adventure 🙌☘️

[@timsalo1719]

Cousin Frank(squirrel) rules! Wow! 40 years!

[@robertsmith16286]

I remember this T&A movie. It’s been a while. Lol.

[@845835]

This film is pure 1980's

[@eugenehovjacky803]

Used to have all night VHS sessions, Hot Dog, Better of Dead, Soul Man. Good memories !

[@daleburton1788]

Are family had this on BETA.

[@bumpy783]

Saint Anton in Austria has a year end race called Der Weiße Rausch: Top to bottom, first one to finish wins. Several friends and I have skied it several times and we always called it the Chinese Downhill.

[@eagledove9]

HOLY CRAP, and it looks like real stuntmen actually did this stuff, too.

[@RacerXGTO]

They did. Skiing stunts for the 80's go like this; 1-For Your Eyes Only(James Bond) 2- Hot Dog (this movie) 3- Better Off Dead (John Cusack when he wasn't pissed off at everyone)

[@eagledove9]

​@@RacerXGTO I remember watching For Your Eyes Only, but I don't remember anything about it. Now that you mention it, yes, there was some skiing in that movie. I'll see what's on youtube. I never saw Better Off Dead, but I'm curious to look it up. I liked John Cusack.

[@RacerXGTO]

@@eagledove9 In all 3 of those movies, you're going to see some similar skiing style and even scenes performed. To the point that you may even say to yourself, 'hey, they copied that!'

[@shawnbaxter1001]

An awesome movie! 80s rule!

[@dwilson2548]

As I had sunny side up I had sunny side down I then had sunny all the way around that's why I am still up and awake watching and smiling in 2025. !!!!!

[@stephenhutchison1850]

"Winner takes all: 2300 bucks!" So there were 57.5 skiers in the race lol

[@rocketman7156]

46 dumbass!

[@rickroll9086]

@@rocketman7156 I know it’s a deep movie with lots of dialogue, but try and keep up. It’s $40 each. Preferably in wadded $1 bills.