Anyone who has watched a video of James Bond knows that he’s hot stuff on skis. The English super agent slices through drifts like a katana through fruit. The poles in his hands become extensions of his soul—or even better, rocket launchers with which he deftly obliterates the villains chasing him.
After watching a few of Bond’s escapades, one can’t help but wonder if there’s anyone better. From Utah to the Adirondacks, can anybody challenge this soaring secret serviceman? In the world of video, is anyone more entertaining to watch on the downhill slopes?
Bond’s position is strong. Ski chases featured heavily in the production of at least four of his films. Set far from Utah, they usually take place in exotic European locations.
In “The Spy Who Loved Me,” Roger Moore’s Bond slaloms through the Italian Alps, pursued by an evil henchman. Irritated by their ineffectual attempts to shoot him with pistols, he whips around and launches his rocket ski pole in their direction. It explodes with devastating accuracy. A spectacular shot.
In an impressive production stunt, Bond skis straight off an enormous cliff. All seems lost until a Union Jack parachute blossoms out behind him and he sails to safety. Seriously, this is Olympic level stuff.
“For Your Eyes Only” features Bond locked in vicious hand-to-hand combat while flying down a slope. Despite a series of nasty kidney punches, he still has the energy to body slam a sniper before skiing onto a bobsled track—in the middle of a race, mind you.
His pursuers follow on machine-gun-equipped motorcycles, but it’s no use. He swerves between sleds and escapes with a flying jump off an embankment.
“On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” and “The World Is Not Enough” feature similar hijinks. Bond appears as comfortable bombing through resort dining rooms as dense forests. The stunts have inspired the production of many a tribute video by skiers in Utah and elsewhere.
Some films outside the Bond franchise might threaten his stranglehold on the slopes. “Better Off Dead,” a coming-of-age video filmed in Utah, centers around a ski race. The protagonist, with only one ski, flies down a dangerous mountain chasing the jock that stole his girlfriend. Behind them follows a paperboy on a bicycle, trying to collect the money they owe him.
Tom Hardy does some good skiing in “Inception.” “The Pink Panther” has a comedic ski chase with Peter Sellers and David Niven. But none of these films have the production quality or excitement of the Bond films. Truthfully, after this brief overview, Bond retains the title. So sorry, world. What do you think?
Tanner Wadsworth writes for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. He writes for many other clients as well.