Winter resorts are often associated with relaxation, skiing, and cozy evenings by the fire. However, in the realm of cinema, these serene settings can turn into scenes of chaos and survival. This curated list of 10 disaster films set at winter resorts offers a thrilling escape from the mundane, showcasing how nature's fury or human error can transform a winter getaway into a fight for survival. Whether it's an avalanche, a mysterious virus, or a supernatural event, these films provide a chilling backdrop to tales of human resilience and the unpredictable whims of fate.

Alive (1993)
Description: Based on the true story of the 1972 Andes flight disaster, where survivors of a plane crash in the Andes mountains face extreme winter conditions, akin to a winter resort turned deadly.
Fact: The film was shot in the Andes, with the actors enduring real cold to capture the authenticity of the survivors' experience.


The Edge (1997)
Description: After a plane crash in the Alaskan wilderness, the survivors face not only the harsh winter but also a bear, creating a survival scenario similar to a winter resort disaster.
Fact: The film features a notable scene where Alec Baldwin's character recites a poem about survival.


The Perfect Storm (2000)
Description: Although not directly set at a winter resort, the film's depiction of a fishing boat crew facing a deadly storm can be seen as a parallel to the dangers faced by those in winter resort settings.
Fact: The film is based on the non-fiction book by Sebastian Junger, detailing the real-life events of the Andrea Gail.


The Day After Tomorrow (2004)
Description: While not exclusively set at a winter resort, the film features a pivotal scene where characters are trapped in a library during a sudden ice age, creating a winter resort-like environment.
Fact: The film was inspired by the book "The Coming Global Superstorm" by Art Bell and Whitley Strieber.


Frozen (2010)
Description: Three skiers are stranded on a chairlift at a ski resort after the resort closes for the night, facing freezing temperatures and the threat of wolves.
Fact: The film was shot in Utah, with the actors actually experiencing the cold conditions depicted in the movie.


The Grey (2011)
Description: While not set at a resort, the film's premise of surviving in the Alaskan wilderness after a plane crash can be paralleled to the isolation and survival themes of winter resort disasters.
Fact: The film was inspired by the short story "Ghost Walker" by Ian MacKenzie Jeffers.


The Finest Hours (2016)
Description: While primarily a maritime disaster film, it includes scenes at a winter resort where the Coast Guard crew members are stationed, highlighting the harsh winter conditions.
Fact: The film is based on the true story of the 1952 Pendleton rescue off the coast of Cape Cod.


Force Majeure (2014)
Description: This Swedish film explores the aftermath of an avalanche at a ski resort, where a family's vacation turns into a psychological drama. It's a disaster film in the sense that it examines the disaster of human relationships under stress.
Fact: The film was remade in English as "Downhill" in 2020, starring Will Ferrell and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.


The Mountain Between Us (2017)
Description: After a plane crash in the Rockies, two strangers must survive in the harsh winter environment, which can be seen as an extension of a winter resort turned deadly.
Fact: The film was shot in British Columbia, Canada, to capture the authentic winter wilderness.


The Snow Walker (2003)
Description: A pilot and an Inuit woman must survive in the Arctic after a plane crash, showcasing the harsh winter conditions akin to a remote winter resort.
Fact: The film was shot in Nunavut, Canada, to capture the authentic Arctic environment.
