Film

Ski Patrol

Name: Ski Patrol
Genre: Comedy, Action
Released: 1990
Cast: Roger Rose, Yvette Nipar, T.K. Carter, Leslie Jordan, Paul Feig

Action
Light-hearted

Ski Patrol is a scrappy 1990 action-comedy about misfit snowboard instructors defending a ski lodge from a land developer's takeover. It's broad, physical humour with genuine stunts, more concerned with character chaos than plot logic. Perfect if you remember when SNL cast members got movie deals and aren't worried about things making sense.

TMDb rating

2.4

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Another ski comedy that prioritises laughs and stunt work over narrative coherence. Cast of lovable goofballs competing, clashing, and generally causing mayhem on the slopes with real skiing talent on display.

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Police Academy1984

Same DNA: a ragtag ensemble of oddballs learning to work together through physical comedy and slapstick. Affection for its characters despite their chaos, and genuine chemistry between cast members.

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Troop Beverly Hills1989

Another 1989 ensemble comedy where misfits band together against authority figures with real heart underneath the jokes. Similar tone: earnest about loyalty even while being ridiculous about everything else.

But Squarely pitched at a younger audience. The satire of materialism and gender roles can feel heavy-handed if you're not in the mood for it.

Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Ski Patrol

The wildcard

Something you would not have found on your own.

Better Off Dead...1985

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All-star cast of comedians and celebrities in vehicles causing chaos. Prioritises gags and stunt sequences over plot; made simply because everyone wanted to hang out and have fun on set.

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Weekend at Bernie's1989

Two ordinary guys in absurd situations trying to keep up appearances. Lightweight, silly, and surprisingly charming with real affection for its dopey characters despite the ridiculous premise.

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Scrooged1988

Bill Murray leading an ensemble comedy with heart underneath the chaos. Sentimental without being maudlin, funny without relying on meanness, and genuinely weird in its tangents and set pieces.

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Coming Soon1999

Low-stakes teen comedy about a group of friends sticking together despite their differences. Earnest about friendship, completely unserious about everything else, and genuinely funny in its digressions.

But Very dated in its slang and references. The premise is slight and the humour bounces between smart and groan-worthy without warning.

Johnny Dangerously1984

Parody of gangster films with an ensemble cast riffing on period comedy tropes. Dense with jokes, genuinely weird casting choices, and feels like everyone involved was having an unusually good time.

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The Experts1989

Two ordinary guys mistaken for something they're not, forced into ridiculous situations. Charming chemistry between leads, silly without trying too hard, and committed to its absurd premise.

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The Sitter1991

Both are 90s comedies about misfits in positions of minor authority fucking everything up. But where Ski Patrol is warm and hapless, The Sitter is aggressive and calculated. Same impulse, opposite moral register.

Dangerous, anarchic comedy where babysitters and charges cause increasingly elaborate chaos across Manhattan. Made the year after Ski Patrol but feels from a different universe—meaner, weirder, genuinely transgressive. Dangerfield steals every scene.

But Aggressively crude and offensive in ways that don't age well. The plot is barely there, the targets are often mean-spirited, and the pacing is frantic to the point of exhaustion.