Where to Ski And Snowboard - Austria ski resort stars in Hollywood film Downhill

Austria ski resort stars in Hollywood film Downhill

19th February 2020, by Abi Butcher

Will Ferrell and Julia Louis-Dreyfus enjoy Ischgl in the film Downhill. Pic: Jaap Buitendijk © Searchlight Pictures

The Austrian ski resort of Ischgl has hit the big screen in a new comedy drama opening in cinemas at the end of the month. Hollywood film “Downhill”, starring Will Ferrell and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, had its world premiere at the US ski resort of Sundance last month and opens in the UK on 28 February.

The Tirolean ski resort was carefully picked by location scouts from the film’s makers Searchlight Pictures and Walt Disney Studios, and filming took place last winter. Anyone who skied in Ischgl will have seen the 160 actors, crew and production staff who descended on the resort — and a few lucky locals were used as extras.

Tourist director Andreas Steibl says the film highlights the attractions and beauty of Ischgl and its ski slopes.

“It wasn’t that easy to win the contract, it’s Hollywood after all and there are loads of details,” he said. “In the end, though, our pitch won against two competitors from Austria and one from Switzerland…You’ll see how much snow there is in Ischgl and how great the ski area is. But the best part is that anyone who sees the film will know that it takes place in Ischgl.”

Downhill is a remake of the 2014 film Force Majeure, about an American family’s ski holiday in Ischgl. Will Ferrell and Julia Louis-Dreyfus (who play husband and wife Pete and Billie) decided to perform many of the ski scenes themselves, rather than use stunt-doubles.

We can’t wait for it to open!

Meanwhile, to read Where to Ski and Snowboard’s independent review of Ischgl, click here