Damon Mcknight
The 2020 black comedy-drama film Downhill, starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Will Ferrell, was filmed in the Austrian ski resorts of Ischgl, Fiss and Kaunertal in Tyrol. The film is about a married couple who go through a rough patch after a near-death experience during a family ski outing. The Tirolean town of Ischgl was chosen as the filming location over another Austrian and a Swiss resort. The crew spent three weeks at Ischgl, three weeks at Fiss, and nearly two weeks in Vienna.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of filming | 2019 |
| Season of filming | Ski season |
| Country of filming | Austria |
| Region of filming | Tyrol |
| Cities of filming | Ischgl, Fiss, Kaunertal, Vienna |
| Resorts of filming | Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis |
| Hotels of filming | Schlosshotel Fiss |
| Skiing areas of filming | Silvretta Arena, Beast piste, "Schönjochabfahrt" piste |
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What You'll Learn
The Tirolean town of Ischgl
Ischgl was chosen for its stunning scenery, which the filmmakers worried viewers might think was "CGI" because it was "so beautiful". The resort boasts 239 kilometres of pistes and offers something for every ability level and taste. It also provided the perfect infrastructure and numerous refreshment stops, making it an ideal location for the film crew. The logistics of filming in a ski resort, however, presented some challenges. For example, the crew could only use snowcats and snowmobiles outside of the resort's operating hours, resulting in early mornings and long days in alpine weather.
The scenes on the 'Beast' piste were actually filmed on a gentle blue run, 2B, accessed by the Nachtweidebahn chairlift in the Silvretta Arena sector of the piste map. The interior shots, such as room shots, dinner scenes, and scenes in the corridor and bar, were filmed in the Schlosshotel Fiss, a 5-star hotel in Ischgl's neighbouring region. The tunnel that runs from the pedestrianised centre of the resort to the Fimbabahn gondola also makes an appearance in the film.
The entire family survives the avalanche, which was controlled and planned by the resort. However, Pete's reaction to the avalanche causes his wife and kids to worry. The scene in which the family complains about the avalanche blast was filmed in the real mountain railway office on the Idalp. The access road to Ischgl is winding, but the producers chose the Kaunertal Glacier Road for the film and put up a special sign for Ischgl in the "Schnapsloch" section. All exterior shots in the village were filmed in Ischgl's pedestrian zone.
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Fiss and Kaunertal
The Austrian ski resorts of Fiss and Kaunertal were among the filming locations for the 2020 film Downhill, starring Will Ferrell and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. The film is about a married couple who go through a rough patch after a near-death experience during a family ski trip.
Fiss, a village in the Tyrol region of Austria, was one of the primary filming locations for Downhill. The crew spent three weeks filming in Fiss, capturing the stunning alpine landscape and the family-friendly Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis ski area. The key scene in the film, in which an avalanche rushes towards the Stanton family, was filmed on the Wonnealm in Fiss. The crew also filmed in the Schlosshotel Fiss, a 5-star hotel located directly on the slopes of the Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis ski area. The hotel served as the setting for various interior shots, including room scenes, a dinner scene, and scenes in the corridor, bar, and seating areas.
Kaunertal, a valley located in the Tyrol region of Austria, was another important filming location for Downhill. The Kaunertal Glacier Road, a spectacular access road, was featured in the film. This road, known for its panoramic views and winding paths, provided a dramatic backdrop for the film's scenes. The Kaunertal Glacier, located at the end of the road, offers a unique setting for any film production.
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Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis ski area
The Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis ski area is a family-friendly location with 162 kilometres of slopes. It is here, in the picturesque village of Fiss, that the key scene in the film Downhill was shot. The scene in question involves an avalanche rushing towards the Stanton family and was filmed on the Wonnealm, located directly on the "Schönjochabfahrt" piste. The crew spent three weeks filming in Fiss.
The interior shots of Downhill were filmed in the Schlosshotel Fiss, a 5-star hotel located in the slopes of the Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis ski area. The hotel's room shots, dinner with friends, scenes in the corridor, at the bar, and the seating areas in the entrance area were all shot here. Some of the crew even lived in the hotel during the three-month shoot.
The Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis ski area is also home to the Seealm Hög, a cosy restaurant located directly on the piste. The kitchen offers excellent Tyrolean delicacies, as well as vegetarian and vegan dishes. The nearby "Schneisenfeger" Alpine Coaster is another attraction worth visiting, especially in the summer, due to the neighbouring play park.
The Tirolean town of Ischgl, which is part of the Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis ski area, was also a filming location for Downhill. The ski resort boasts 239 kilometres of pistes and offers something for every ability level. The crew spent about three weeks filming in Ischgl, where most of the ski scenes were shot. The 'Beast' piste scenes were filmed on a gentle blue run, 2B, accessed by the Nachtweidebahn chairlift in the Silvretta Arena sector of the piste map.
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Silvretta Arena
The Silvretta Arena ski resort in Ischgl, Tyrol, is perched high above the Paznaun valley, reaching up to 2,872 metres above sea level. It is the third-biggest ski resort in the Austrian province of Tyrol and is a cross-border ski area that connects Ischgl in Austria with the Swiss duty-free village of Samnaun. The ski resort offers 239 kilometres of slopes and 45 or 46 modern lifts that can transport around 97,000 people per hour. It is a popular choice for skiers and snowboarders, with ski runs up to 11 kilometres long, as well as special slopes and snow parks.
The Silvretta Arena is accessible by ski bus, which is free of charge with a valid ski pass. The ski resort offers a range of accommodation options, from hotels to chalets. The resort also features several après-ski bars and a party hotspot in Ischgl.
The Silvretta Arena was featured in the 2020 film Downhill, starring Will Ferrell and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. The film is a black comedy-drama that follows a married couple on a ski holiday in the Alps. The resort's Smuggler's Trail, which offers three routes with varying difficulty levels and different lengths, was likely a highlight for the film crew. The Gold Trail is the most challenging, while the Silver and Bronze Trails are easier, with the latter mostly comprising blue slopes.
The Silvretta Arena sector of the piste map was used for filming the scenes on the 'Beast' piste. These scenes were actually filmed on a gentle blue run, 2B, which can be accessed by the Nachtweidebahn chairlift. The resort's 130-metre underground tunnel, which connects the pedestrianised centre of the resort to the Fimbabahn gondola, also makes an appearance in the film.
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Former Rosenhügel studios of Wien Film
The former Rosenhügel studios of Wien Film, located in Vienna, served as the site for Downhill's hotel set. The production team spent nearly two weeks in the city, constructing the set within the studios. This marked a shift from the initial plan to shoot in France, Italy, or a more affordable location like British Columbia. However, the filmmakers ultimately chose Austria to benefit from its realistic backdrops and the 25% cash rebate on project expenditures.
The decision to film in Austria, specifically in the Tirol region, was influenced by the stunning scenery and financial incentives. The country's Film Industry Support Austria grant and the Cine Tirol Production Incentive provided economic benefits that aligned with the film's budget considerations. The Tirol region, known as the \"wild west of Austria,\" offered a unique blend of pure alpine landscapes and production support from the regional government.
The filming locations in Austria included the ski resorts of Ischgl, Fiss, and Kaunertal. The production team spent approximately three weeks in Ischgl, capturing most of the slopes and ski scenes. They then moved to Fiss for another three weeks, followed by nearly two weeks in Vienna, where the former Rosenhügel studios played a crucial role in bringing the hotel set to life.
The choice of the Rosenhügel studios as a filming location contributed to the authenticity of the hotel scenes in Downhill. By constructing the set within these studios, the production team was able to create a realistic and immersive environment for the hotel-based portions of the film. This attention to detail enhanced the overall visual appeal and production value of the movie.
The filming of Downhill in Austria faced challenges due to the high costs and the need to navigate local employment laws. However, the support from the regional government and the expertise of local production service companies, such as Filmhaus, were instrumental in overcoming these obstacles. The natural beauty of the locations, including the former Rosenhügel studios, ultimately enhanced the film's visual impact and made it a memorable cinematic experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Downhill was filmed in the Austrian ski resorts of Ischgl, Fiss and Kaunertal.
Almost all of the ski shots were filmed in the Ischgl ski area of the Silvretta Arena, with piste 6A being the most photographed. All exterior shots in the village were also filmed in Ischgl's pedestrian zone.
The key scene in the film, in which the avalanche rushes towards the Stanton family, takes place on the Wonnealm in Fiss. All interior shots were filmed in the Schlosshotel Fiss.
The Kaunertal Glacier Road was used for filming.
The film was shot in Austria due to its stunning locations and the 25% cash rebate on a project's qualifying spend.
