Ruqayyah Snyder
The 2020 black comedy film Downhill, starring Will Ferrell and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, was filmed in the Austrian ski resorts of Ischgl, Fiss, and Kaunertal in Tyrol, during one of the snowiest years on record. The Tirol region, known for its stunning snow-covered peaks, luxury ski resorts, and unique folk traditions, was chosen over alternative locations in France, Italy, and Canada because the filmmakers wanted a truly realistic backdrop.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country | Austria |
| Region | Tyrol |
| Cities | Ischgl, Fiss, Kaunertal, Vienna |
| Studios | Studio 1 Rosenhügel of Wein Film |
| Resorts | Schlosshotel Fiss, Schatzi Bar, Kuhstall, Trofana Alm, Champagnerlounge |
| Mountains | Wonnealm, Schönjochabfahrt piste, Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis ski area |
| Roads | Kaunertal Glacier Road, Silvretta Arena |
| Season | Winter |
| Year | 2018, 2019 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Tyrol, in the Austrian Alps
The 2020 film Downhill, starring Will Ferrell and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, was filmed in Tyrol, in the Austrian Alps. The film is a remake of the 2014 Swedish film Force Majeure, and tells the story of a married couple on a ski holiday in the Alps, whose relationship is thrown into disarray after an avalanche hits the ski resort.
The Tyrol region was chosen for its stunning locations, with the filmmakers wanting a truly realistic backdrop for the story about Americans abroad in Europe. The decision to film in Austria also helped the studio save on costs, as producer Jo Homewood explains: "If we shot in Canada, we’d have to spend a lot of money to make it look like Europe".
Filming took place in the ski resorts of Ischgl, Fiss, and Kaunertal, with the Tirolean town of Ischgl beating competition from another Austrian and a Swiss resort to secure its spot on the big screen. All the interior shots were filmed in the Schlosshotel Fiss, a 5-star hotel located directly on the slopes of the Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis ski area. The key scene in the film, in which an avalanche rushes towards the Stanton family, was shot on the Wonnealm in Fiss.
The ski resort of Ischgl boasts 239 kilometres of pistes and offers something for every ability level and taste. The producers chose the Kaunertal Glacier Road for the film, putting up a special sign for Ischgl in the "Schnapsloch" section. Almost all of the ski shots were filmed in the Ischgl ski area of the Silvretta Arena, with piste 6A being the most photographed.
The entire filming process in Austria took about two weeks, with three weeks spent in Ischgl, three weeks in Fiss, and nearly two weeks in Vienna, where a hotel set was built in the former Rosenhügel studios of Wien Film.
Austria's Middle East Connection: Exploring the Unexpected Link
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Ischgl ski resort
The 2020 movie Downhill was filmed in the Tyrolean Alps in Tyrol, Austria. The film was shot in winter 2018 in Ischgl, Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis and the Kaunertal in Tyrol. The Ischgl ski resort is perched high above the Paznaun valley, reaching up to 2,872 meters above sea level. The ski resort boasts 239 kilometres of pistes and offers something for every ability level and taste. The resort features stunning views and perfectly groomed, varied slopes, some located higher than 2,000 meters above sea level.
The Silvretta Arena ski resort in Ischgl is a cross-border ski area that encompasses the Swiss village of Samnaun in Grisons, which is located in a duty-free shopping zone. The arena offers 45 state-of-the-art cable cars and lifts, with a capacity of around 97,000 persons per hour, swiftly taking skiers up to the summits. The resort is known for its excellent infrastructure, with numerous refreshment stops and professionals in every area.
Almost all of the ski shots in Downhill were filmed in the Ischgl ski area of the Silvretta Arena, with piste 6A being the most photographed. A special gondola (No. 64S) on the Silvrettabahn (A1) was reserved for the crew for filming, allowing them to shoot from different perspectives throughout the day. The crew spent about three weeks filming in Ischgl, where most of the slopes work was done.
In addition to the ski slopes, the village of Ischgl also served as a filming location for Downhill. All exterior shots in the village were filmed in Ischgl's pedestrian zone, which features gourmet restaurants, delicatessens, sports shops, and après-ski bars. Ischgl is known for its vibrant après-ski scene, with 26 hot spots, including Schatzi Bar, Kuhstall, Trofana Alm, and Champagnerlounge.
Exploring Strobl, Austria: Activities and Adventures
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Fiss ski resort
The 2020 film Downhill starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Will Ferrell was filmed in the Tyrolean Alps in Austria. The film was shot in the winter of 2018 in the communities of Fiss, Ischgl, and Kaunertal.
Fiss is a village in the ski resort of Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, which is located in the Tyrol (Tirol) region of Austria. The resort is situated on a sunny plateau above the Upper Inn Valley and is surrounded by 3,000-metre-high peaks. Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis is known for its incredible views, snow-covered mountains, and slopes, making it a popular destination for skiers and snowboarders. The resort offers a wide range of slopes catering to all skill levels, from beginners to experts. There are 47 kilometres of blue slopes, 112 kilometres of red slopes, and 27 kilometres of black slopes, as well as 28 kilometres of freeride routes and 30 kilometres of cross-country skiing trails.
The village of Fiss itself offers a range of attractions, including the "Höhlenwelt" (Cave World), which provides an adventurous experience with its extended routes and stations. Fiss also has its own ski school, Berta's Kinderland, which offers ski lessons for children, as well as childcare facilities. For those seeking a thrill, there is the Fisser Flieger, where you can soar across the Möseralm at 80 kilometres per hour, and the Skyswing, which simulates free fall.
The Schlosshotel Fiss, a 5-star hotel located directly on the slopes of the Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis ski area, was used for all interior shots in the film Downhill, including room shots, dinner scenes, and scenes in the corridors, bar, and seating areas. The crew even resided in the hotel during the three-month shoot. The key scene in the film, in which an avalanche rushes towards the Stanton family, was filmed on the Wonnealm in Fiss.
Exploring Wolfgangsee, Austria: A Travel Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Kaunertal communities
The Kaunertal communities in Tyrol, Austria, were one of the filming locations for the 2020 movie Downhill, starring Will Ferrell and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Tyrol is known for its stunning snow-covered peaks, luxury ski resorts, historic sites, and unique folk traditions. The region has previously attracted big-budget productions such as Mission: Impossible 5 — Rogue Nation and Eddie The Eagle.
The filmmakers of Downhill chose to shoot in Austria due to its stunning locations and the 25% cash rebate on qualifying production spend. The country's FISA scheme offers international feature films up to 25% of eligible costs, with individual projects able to access up to 15% of the rebate's annual total of $8.3 million (€7.5 million). Downhill secured slightly more than that, receiving $1.4 million.
The Kaunertal Glacier Road was chosen for the film, with a special sign for Ischgl put up in the "Schnapsloch" section. The Kaunertal Glacier Panoramic Road is a spectacular route that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding area.
In addition to the natural beauty of the region, the filmmakers also praised the support they received from the Government of Austria, the regional Government of Tirol, and Cine Tirol. The national film commission, Location Austria, and its director, Arie Bohrer, were also commended for their incredible support and cooperation.
The entire filming process in Kaunertal and other locations in Tyrol took about two weeks, with a large crew of around 160 members, most of whom were locally hired. The cast and crew's presence in the region resulted in a significant economic impact, with an increase in overnight stays in local hotels and chalets.
Exploring Spitz, Austria: Activities and Adventures
You may want to see also
Vienna
The 2020 black comedy film Downhill, starring Will Ferrell and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, was filmed in Vienna, Austria. The film is an adaptation of the Swedish movie Force Majeure, which was shot in Sweden, Italy, and eastern France.
The filmmakers initially considered shooting in France, Italy, or somewhere more affordable, such as British Columbia, Canada. However, they ultimately chose Austria for its stunning locations and the 25% cash rebate on the project's qualifying spend. They also wanted a realistic backdrop for a story about Americans abroad in Europe.
In Vienna, the Downhill crew built a hotel set in the former Rosenhügel studios of Wien Film. Equipment rental was easily accessible through Arri in Vienna. The city's English-speaking crews, who are mostly based there, were praised as being "incredible" to work with.
The filming in Vienna took place for nearly two weeks, following three weeks each in Ischgl and Fiss, two other Austrian filming locations for Downhill.
The Austrian Sauerkraut: A Step-by-Step Guide to Making It
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Downhill was filmed in the Tyrol region of the Austrian Alps, specifically in the ski resorts of Ischgl, Fiss, and Kaunertal.
The filmmakers initially considered locations such as France, Italy, and British Columbia, Canada, but they ultimately chose Tyrol because they wanted a truly realistic backdrop for a story about Americans abroad in Europe.
Some specific locations include the Kaunertal Glacier Road, the pedestrian zone of Ischgl, the "Beast" piste, and the Wonnealm in Fiss.
Yes, the crew faced the challenge of navigating local employment laws and dealing with high costs. They also had to work around the logistics of filming in a ski resort without disturbing the general public on the pistes.
