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Ski School 2
Ski School 2
Ski School 2
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Ski School 2
Directed byDavid Mitchell
Written byJay Naples
StarringDean Cameron
Heather Campbell
Production
company
Active Entertainment
Distributed byCFP Distribution
Release date
  • February 21, 1994 (1994-02-21)
Running time
92 minutes
CountryCanada
LanguageEnglish
Budget$1.5 million

Ski School 2 is a 1994 comedy film directed by David Mitchell and starring Dean Cameron. Its plot concerns a fictional ski school. The first film in the series, Ski School, also starred Cameron and was written by Mitchell.

Plot

[edit]

Dave Marshak, a former ski champion and section leader of the All Valley Ski School, has been ousted and now lives in a camper. He has three new friends: Alex, a hunk who has a different woman almost every day and is always tired after consummating the affairs: Toddorbert, an eccentric fellow who claims his parents didn't know whether to call him "Todd" or "Bert", so the name stuck; and Tomcat, a bufoonish fellow in the vein of his old pal Ed.

When Dave gets an invite to the wedding of his girlfriend Beth Roberts to Steve Longwood, the new leader of the Ski School, he decides he must go back and try to stop it. The reason is despite his hard-partying ways of the past, Beth was the only who always kept him grounded. When he arrives, he is immediately threatened by Steve, who warns him not to interfere. Meanwhile, a woman named Lola Schnitzelbank, has arrived on the mountain for an upcoming competition and to continue her passion of nude painting, in which she paints subjects while in the nude.

As Dave makes numerous but futile attempts to convince Beth not to marry Steve, Tomcat makes a shocking discovery. Eavesdropping on Steve and his cohort Lee, Tomcat learns that if Steve marries Beth, he will be the new owner of the mountain as it was a deal he had made with Beth's late father. He doesn't love Beth, but wants the mountain all to himself. When Dave learns Steve is going to have his bachelor party, he gets Tomcat to ask Lola to help crash it as a dancer. She agrees on the condition that she can sleep with Alex. Lola surprises Alex that night and the two sleep together.

On the night of the bachelor party, Beth's bachlorette party is crashed by Dave, who poses as the cowboy stripper much to Beth's chagrin turned delight. Meanwhile, Lola becomes the dancer at Steve's bachelor party with Alex and Tomcat hiding in the cake to take photos of the event. When Lola gets Steve hilariously drunk and full of feathers, Tomcat and Alex accidentally reveal themselves and get in trouble.

When Dave and Beth play Battleship and have their first heartwarming conversation since the breakup, Dave still feels a bit of reluctance on commitment, which is why Beth dumped him. However, when the cops bring the drunk Steve, in his boxers and full of feathers, home, Beth realizes Dave set him up and uninvites him to the wedding.

On the day of the wedding, Toddorbert crashes and poses as the ring bearer. Dave, hiding from behind a curtain, like the Wizard of Oz, reveals Steve's plan to take over the mountain. When Dave is busted, he tells Beth to ask him. When he goes quiet and tries to rebuff, Beth learns the truth when Toddorbert reveals an eviction notice that Lee had left and wasn't supposed to until after the wedding. Beth dumps Steve at the altar. A few days later, Dave tries to convince Beth not to jump off the mountain but when she does, it is because she is skiing and Dave catches up to her. The two finally rekindle their relationship with a kiss on the mountain.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

Ski School 2 was credited with being written by Jay Naples, but that name is speculated to be just a pseudonym for director David Mitchell, who wrote the first Ski School film.[1] Indeed, the name Jay Naples does not have any other writing or film credits listed on IMDb.[2]

Filming took place in Vancouver, British Columbia, and on location at Whistler, British Columbia.[3] It was also notable for being the film debut of both Bil Dwyer and Will Sasso. One viewer noted of Sasso, he was "clearly given no direction in some scenes, so you can see him in the background, pulling an insane series of faces while talking to no one."[4]

Reflecting on why he agreed to star in the Ski School series, Dean Cameron recalled: "I wish the movies were more high profile. They offered it to me – and the script had some stuff in it that was subversive for the time. And I said to the producer and the writer, 'This movie is so stupid, we will have a great time making it.' We had a very good time doing that movie."[5]

Stuart Fratkin, who co-starred as Fitz Fitzgerald in the first Ski School, was not asked reprise his role in the sequel because: "they couldn’t afford both Dean and me."[6]

Skiing stunt work was done by Shane Szocs, who in 2006 was named to Powder magazine's list of 48 Skiers Who Shaped Our Sport.[7]

Release

[edit]

The film was released direct-to-video on February 21, 1994. A DVD was released by Screen Media on December 28, 2004, in pan and scan format.[8]

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia paid homage to the Ski School series in season 11, episode 3, having Dean Cameron guest star as a burnt-out "party dude" living on the ski slopes.[9]

Reception

[edit]

The original Ski School has become a cult classic, but the sequel never achieved the same status. One reviewer complains that the antagonist in the sequel falls far short of the original; "That guy was this asshole who did everything perfect and made everyone want to hate him. This one's an anal-retentive moron who looks slightly better than, but is essentially the same person as, Jeremy Piven in Old School."[10] Canuxploitation, noting the lead character's receding hairline, lamented "the characters in this movie are just too old for this. Acting wacky and drinking copiously is excusable for the young 'uns in this genre...but these characters are like unemployed misfits in their late 20s, and the actors themselves are probably in their early 30s. Even the people in Police Academy had jobs!"[1] Chris Hartley sums it up as "The only real reason it exists, I assume, is because the original was a minor hit on home video and this is merely a retread that's only worth it for fans of the first."[11]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Ski School 2

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Ski School 2 is a 1994 American direct-to-video directed by David Mitchell and starring in the lead role of Dave Marshak. As a sequel to the 1990 Ski School, the film follows Marshak as he reunites with his friends and returns to the mountain to disrupt his ex-girlfriend's wedding to a rival skier. Running 92 minutes, it features supporting performances by actors including , Heather Campbell, and Doug Copithorne, and emphasizes humor centered on antics and romantic interference. The movie received mixed to negative reception, with an audience score of 44% on based on user reviews.

Background

Relation to original

Ski School 2 is a direct sequel to the 1991 Ski School, which follows the antics of rival ski instructors at a —one group of fun-loving slobs led by the irreverent Davis "Dave" Marshak (), clashing with a more disciplined group of snobs—in a low-budget exploration of ski school rivalries and party humor. The original gained a over the years for its lighthearted, raucous take on life and triumphs. In the sequel, reprises his role as Dave Marshak, bringing back the character's signature wisecracking persona, while retaining central themes of competitions and comedic escapades amid snowy backdrops. Key differences include the shift from a theatrical release under director to a format helmed by David Mitchell, reflecting a more constrained production scale. The film features a largely new ensemble, omitting prominent original cast members like , reportedly due to limited budget allowing only Cameron's return.

Development

Active Entertainment served as the primary production company for Ski School 2, partnering with Cinepix Film Properties (CFP). The was set at $1.5 million. David Mitchell was selected as director, marking one of his early feature-length efforts following shorter projects like City of Shadows (1987), with the film representing a step into broader comedic territory. The screenplay was penned by Jay Naples, who crafted a centered on themes of romantic interference at a to provide a fresh angle distinct from the original's competitive focus, while keeping production simple and aligned with video rental appeal. Development progressed rapidly in the early 1990s, culminating in shortly before the 1994 release, reflecting the era's trend toward formulaic sequels for distribution. Casting prioritized continuity and affordability, with reprising his role as Dave Marshak to leverage audience familiarity and maintain narrative cohesion. To control expenses, the production recruited emerging talents for supporting roles, including and , both making their feature film debuts in Ski School 2, which allowed for fresh comedic energy without high-profile salaries. This approach underscored the project's goal of delivering lighthearted, low-stakes entertainment suited to the format.

Production

Writing and pre-production

The screenplay for Ski School 2 was written by Jay Naples, centering on a narrative that incorporates stunts and physical humor amid a party-like wedding disruption scenario. The script evolves the original film's slobs-versus-snobs dynamic by positioning returning protagonist Dave Marshak against the antagonist, Steve Longwood, a smug jock figure intent on marrying Marshak's ex-girlfriend and taking over her inherited . Longwood's role as a foil highlights comedic rivalries through exaggerated athletic bravado contrasting Marshak's laid-back antics. Pre-production logistics focused on Canadian locations to leverage filming efficiency, with principal sites selected in and . Casting emphasized local talent pools in , resulting in the feature film debut of comedian as Tomcat Collins and as the dim-witted Toddorbert, alongside supporting roles filled by regional actors like Doug Copithorne. Stunt coordination for the skiing sequences was planned with Shane Szocs, a professional skier credited as a , ensuring authentic action elements integrated into the comedy. The production faced challenges from a modest budget of $1.5 million, which necessitated cost-saving measures such as excluding original cast members to prioritize key locations and returning star Dean Cameron. Specifically, co-star Stuart Fratkin, who played Fitz Fitzgerald in the first film, was not asked to reprise his role because the budget could not accommodate both him and Cameron, leading to a streamlined ensemble with Marshak as the sole returning character. These constraints simplified the plot to focus on core romantic and comedic beats without expanding the returning cast, aligning with the film's direct-to-video release strategy.

Filming and locations

Principal photography for Ski School 2 commenced in April 1993 and spanned several weeks, primarily in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with additional location shooting at Whistler, British Columbia, for the ski resort sequences. The production utilized the natural terrain of Whistler to capture authentic winter sports action during the tail end of the ski season. The film employed practical effects for its stunt sequences, emphasizing on-location realism to suit its low-budget approach of $1.5 million. stunts were performed by professional skier Shane Szocs, who served as a stunt player for the high-speed downhill and trick shots integral to the comedy's physical humor. This hands-on method avoided heavy reliance on , aligning with the era's filmmaking constraints. Filming in spring presented weather challenges, as diminishing snow cover at Whistler required careful scheduling around remaining winter conditions and occasional use of artificial snow enhancements for consistency in non-ski scenes. Party and wedding sequences incorporated low-cost improvisations, such as utilizing local venues and minimal set dressing to maintain the film's lighthearted, unpolished tone. Post-production, including basic editing, was handled in without significant work, prioritizing the authenticity of the location footage to drive the comedic elements.

Cast

The principal cast of Ski School 2 features reprising his role as Dave Marshak, the underdog protagonist who returns to the to disrupt his ex-girlfriend's wedding. Heather Campbell stars as Beth Roberts, Dave's former love interest who has inherited her father's and is set to marry the . Brent Sheppard portrays Steve Longwood, the smug jock and rival who embodies the film's comedic foil. Supporting roles add to the ensemble's chaotic energy, with Doug Copithorne as the laid-back Alex, a key ally in Dave's schemes. plays Toddorbert, an over-the-top partygoer contributing to the film's raucous humor. Wendy Hamilton appears as Lola Schnitzelbank, a quirky nude painter and skier who brings eccentric flair to the resort antics. makes his debut as Tomcat Collins, a boisterous character in a comedic supporting role. Other credited performers include Noah Groen as Rob, Campbell Lane as Mr. Morgan, and Jayne Sowerby as Joyce, each filling out the wedding party and resort staff dynamics.
ActorRoleDescription
Dave MarshakUnderdog lead seeking redemption
Heather CampbellBeth RobertsLove interest and resort owner
Brent SheppardSteve LongwoodAntagonistic jock rival
Doug CopithorneAlexDave's supportive friend
ToddorbertEccentric party enthusiast
Wendy HamiltonLola SchnitzelbankArtistic and free-spirited skier
Tomcat CollinsBoisterous comedic sidekick

Crew

David Mitchell directed Ski School 2, overseeing the film's low-budget comedy sequences with a focus on slapstick and ensemble timing. The screenplay was written by Jay Naples, who crafted the sequel's plot around themes of rivalry and romance at the ski resort. Production was handled by Active Entertainment, with Mitchell also credited as a producer alongside Jeff Sackman. Executive producers included John Dunning and André Link, while Kate Healey served as associate producer, emphasizing the film's Canadian production elements. Additional key crew members comprised cinematographer David Pelletier, editors David Mitchell and Mark Sanders, and composers Norman Orenstein, Jason Atkinson, and Pete Snell, who contributed to the lighthearted visual and auditory style.

Narrative

Plot summary

Dave Marshak, a perennial underachiever who previously triumphed at a rowdy ski school in his youth, has since faced repeated failures in his career and personal life, often bested by his smug rival Steve Longwood. When Beth Roberts, Dave's former girlfriend from those earlier days, inherits her late father's struggling , Steve seizes the opportunity by proposing marriage, intending to transform the laid-back establishment into an elite, snob-oriented operation. Determined to reclaim his lost love and prevent the resort's upscale overhaul, Dave crashes the scene upon receiving Beth's wedding invitation. He rallies a ragtag crew of slovenly friends—including the dim-witted but loyal , Tomcat, Toddorbert, and Lola—who immediately clash with Steve's pretentious entourage of yuppies and instructors in a series of escalating antics. These conflicts unfold through disastrous ski lessons where the slobs sabotage the snobs' precision techniques, wild after-hours parties that devolve into food fights and chases, and pranks such as Lola seducing and handcuffing Steve's guests for compromising photos, while Dave poses as a at Beth's . Amid the chaos, subtle romantic tension simmers between Dave and Beth, as she grapples with her doubts about Steve's controlling nature and the resort's fading free-spirited legacy. The crew discovers Steve's plan to evict locals like Toddorbert. As the wedding day approaches, the rivalries intensify with the slobs infiltrating rehearsals and receptions, leading to a full-blown "" of that exposes Steve's manipulative side, including during a ski competition. The climax erupts during the , where Dave uses the PA system to pose as "" and interrupt the vows, while Toddorbert shows Beth the notice to unmask Steve's true intentions. In the ensuing pandemonium, Beth rejects Steve, rekindling her romance with Dave and embracing the resort's return to its fun, unpretentious roots. The film concludes with Dave and Beth down the notorious "" run together, wiping out, and sealing their reunion with a passionate kiss as the slobs celebrate victory over the snobs.

Themes and style

Ski School 2 explores core themes of romance pitted against corporate snobbery, with protagonist Dave Marshak and his laid-back ski bum crew challenging the uptight, profit-driven takeover led by rival Longwood at the Whistler resort. This conflict underscores a celebration of chaotic, party-fueled fun over rigid traditions of elite skiing instruction, portraying the protagonists' carefree antics as a rebellious antidote to the antagonists' conformist snobbery. The film's comedy style relies heavily on physical humor, featuring exaggerated stunts and cartoonish mishaps, such as characters tumbling down challenging slopes in over-the-top sequences. It embodies 1990s tropes through amplified rivalries, boisterous party gags, and lowbrow sex comedy elements reminiscent of 1980s ski flicks like , emphasizing juvenile romps and cheeky one-liners over sophisticated wit. Visually and tonally, the movie maintains a lighthearted, low-stakes vibe that prioritizes escapist appeal, leveraging the scenic landscapes for vibrant ski montages and outdoor revelry. While sharing the original Ski School's raunchy edge, the sequel tones down some excesses for a slightly more structured narrative, focusing on redemption through a bachelor party-inspired wedding disruption as a motif for personal growth. Steve Longwood's character serves as a satirical critique of jock culture, highlighting the hollowness of macho, status-obsessed athleticism in contrast to the film's valorized communal chaos.

Release

Initial release

Ski School 2 was released on February 21, 1994, in the United States, bypassing a theatrical run in favor of the market. The film, a Canadian production, targeted audiences interested in lighthearted ski comedies through distribution. In , distribution was handled by Monarch Home Video for the U.S. market, where the featured limited original elements compared to Canadian editions. C/FP Distribution managed the Canadian release, preserving the full and leveraging local production ties for promotion. The strategy emphasized accessibility via video rental and purchase, capitalizing on the original Ski School's among fans. Marketing efforts highlighted Dean Cameron's return as Dave Marshak, with posters showcasing the cast alongside themes of ski adventures, romance, and party antics to appeal to the sequel's target demographic. The rollout remained limited internationally, focusing primarily on North American markets with select availability in and the U.S.

Home media

Following its debut, Ski School 2 saw widespread availability on in 1994 through distributors such as Monarch Home Video in the United States and CFP Video in , making it a common rental title at video stores during the mid-1990s. The Canadian edition notably retained the film's , whereas U.S. and other international releases replaced much of the music due to licensing issues. By the early , the had gone out of print, transforming it into a collector's item sought after by fans for its rarity and the preserved audio elements in certain editions, often fetching higher prices on secondary markets like . The film received its first digital optical disc release on DVD from Screen Media Films on December 28, 2004, presented in a pan-and-scan format to fit standard television aspect ratios. This edition lacked special features, director's commentary, or bonus materials, focusing solely on the core feature presentation, which mirrored the music-replaced audio from non-Canadian versions. Physical copies of this DVD became scarce over time, contributing to its status as a niche item for enthusiasts. As of 2025, digital access to Ski School 2 remains limited, with no inclusion on major subscription streaming services such as , , or Disney+. It is available for digital purchase or rental primarily on platforms like Apple TV, where users can buy the film for download or rent it for temporary viewing.

Reception and legacy

Critical response

Ski School 2 received a mixed-to-negative critical response upon its release, with reviewers appreciating its lighthearted fun and Dean Cameron's charismatic performance while largely dismissing it as an inferior follow-up to the original film. Critics noted the sequel's reliance on familiar slobs-versus-snobs dynamics but found the underdeveloped, diminishing the conflict's tension. Contemporary user reviews on platforms like averaged around 4.0 out of 10, reflecting a consensus that the offered occasional humorous moments but suffered from dated humor and a predictable plot. It also holds a 44% audience score on based on over 30 s (as of November 2025). One highlighted the enjoyment derived from the slobs-versus-snobs setup, praising the 's zany montages and sequences as effective diversions, though it lamented the lack of the original's energetic ensemble. In a retrospective, the Mutant Reviewers described the movie as "pretty darn good," commending Cameron's rapid-fire sarcasm and the new side characters' contributions, yet criticizing the superfluous plot and the antagonist's ineffectiveness. Additional critiques pointed to the aging cast feeling somewhat out of touch with the youthful antics, contributing to a of diminished appeal compared to its predecessor. Positive notes included the solid stunt work and nostalgic value as a 1990s sex comedy, providing escapist entertainment despite its flaws.

Cultural impact

Ski School 2, released in 1994, is widely regarded as a lesser sequel to the 1991 original, which has garnered a among fans of low-budget comedies, whereas the follow-up has not achieved comparable status. It occasionally appears in compilations of ski-themed films, highlighting its niche place within the genre of party-oriented winter comedies. The film maintains a dedicated but limited fanbase among enthusiasts of direct-to-video releases from the era, appreciated for its irreverent humor and continuation of the slobs-versus-snobs dynamic central to the series. Dean Cameron's return as the sarcastic Dave Marshak provided a continuity that endeared it to viewers familiar with his earlier work, contributing to his ongoing association with comedic underdog roles in the . Additionally, the movie marked the feature film debuts of comedians and , whose performances as supporting characters helped launch their careers in television and film; Sasso, in particular, transitioned to prominent shows shortly thereafter. In modern contexts, Ski School 2 has been revisited in 2025 retrospectives for its nostalgic value, with reviewers praising its lighthearted antics and Cameron's distinctive delivery as a fun, if unpolished, time capsule of humor, though it generates limited memes or quotable lines compared to more iconic comedies. The film endures in discussions of obscure Canadian productions, reflecting its roots in Vancouver's burgeoning film scene. On a broader scale, Ski School 2 contributed to establishing Whistler and as key filming locations for outdoor comedies during the , drawing on the area's ski resorts to showcase accessible winter settings that influenced subsequent entries.

References

  1. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/ski_school_2
  2. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114465/
  3. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102940/
  4. https://silverscreenanalysis.com/ski-school-1990-review/
  5. https://rewinditmagazine.com/2022/05/16/interview-with-actor-stuart-fratkin-by-jesse-striewski/
  6. https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/32888-ski-school-2?language=en-US
  7. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0593262/
  8. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114465/fullcredits/
  9. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114465/trivia/
  10. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114465/locations/
  11. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0844195/
  12. https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/32888-ski-school-2
  13. https://jgtwo.com/2009/02/02/the-cornuzine-interviews-stuart-fratkin/
  14. https://moviepooper.com/movie/ski-school-2/
  15. https://www.onsnow.co.uk/moviereviewofskischool1and2.html
  16. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114465/releaseinfo/
  17. https://vhscollector.com/movie/ski-school-2
  18. https://www.videocollector.co/ski-school-2/48863
  19. https://www.ebay.com/p/3222026
  20. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114465/alternateversions/
  21. https://www.ebay.com/itm/136401323414
  22. https://www.ebay.com/itm/326724888750
  23. https://www.ebay.com/p/43867157
  24. https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/ski-school-2
  25. https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/ski-school-2/umc.cmc.6klcwgcfnh6lmyeg6bnhj1nuy
  26. https://reelgood.com/movie/ski-school-2-1994
  27. https://mutantreviewersmovies.com/2025/06/02/ski-school-2-1994-the-eyebrows-are-back/
  28. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114465/reviews/
  29. https://letterboxd.com/film/ski-school-2/reviews/
  30. https://www.newschoolers.com/news/read/Hollywood-Ski-Movie-Reviews
  31. https://www.freeride.com/gear/movies/ski-school-2.html
  32. https://onthetrail.klwines.com/on-the-trail-blog/2016/2/27/on-the-trail-with-dean-cameron
  33. https://www.imdb.com/list/ls053133521/
  34. https://www.netflix.com/title/70017135
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