Ski Patrol
The Snowy Peaks ski patrol is one diverse crew. They consist of Jerry, the senior member who loves skiing and is in love with Ellen, a ski school instructor at Snowy Peaks; Iceman, singer and master of impressions; Eddie, the demolition and explosives expert; Stanley, who has failed to make the patrol seven years in a row; and Tiana, a foreign exchange patroller who likes Stanley. While having fun and keeping the mountain safe, they try to save the lodge from greedy land developer, Sam Maris.
The film earned $8.5M at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Ski Patrol (1990) exemplifies deliberately positioned plot construction, characteristic of Rich Correll's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 31 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes The Snowy Peaks ski patrol team enjoys their carefree life on the mountain, partying and rescuing skiers with humor and camaraderie. Their laid-back approach to ski patrol is established as both their strength and weakness.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Sam Maris, a greedy land developer, arrives with plans to buy the mountain and transform it into a commercial resort, threatening the patrol's way of life. He begins sabotaging operations to lower the mountain's value.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to The ski patrol team makes the active choice to fight back against Maris and save their mountain. They commit to exposing his sabotage and protecting Snowy Peaks, entering into direct conflict with the developer., moving from reaction to action.
At 46 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 51% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat False victory: The ski patrol successfully thwarts one of Maris's major sabotage attempts and gains public support. They believe they're winning, but Maris escalates his tactics and stakes are raised. The stakes shift from survival to complete victory., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 68 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Maris's ultimate sabotage succeeds: a staged accident threatens to shut down the mountain permanently. The patrol is blamed, their reputation destroyed. The mountain sale appears inevitable, and the team fractures. Their dream of saving Snowy Peaks seems dead., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 72 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. The team discovers concrete evidence of Maris's sabotage or has a realization that allows them to fight back. Jerry synthesizes what Ellen taught him about responsibility with his natural leadership. They reunite with a plan to expose Maris and save the mountain., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Ski Patrol's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Ski Patrol against these established plot points, we can identify how Rich Correll utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Ski Patrol within the action genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The Snowy Peaks ski patrol team enjoys their carefree life on the mountain, partying and rescuing skiers with humor and camaraderie. Their laid-back approach to ski patrol is established as both their strength and weakness.
Theme
A character mentions that 'some things are more important than money' when discussing the mountain's future, foreshadowing the conflict between passion for the mountain and corporate greed.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the ski patrol team members, their dynamics, and their unconventional methods. We meet the romantic subplot characters and see the mountain resort's operations. The team's reputation as fun-loving but effective is established.
Disruption
Sam Maris, a greedy land developer, arrives with plans to buy the mountain and transform it into a commercial resort, threatening the patrol's way of life. He begins sabotaging operations to lower the mountain's value.
Resistance
The ski patrol debates how to respond to Maris's threat. Some want to fight, others consider giving up. They discuss their options while Maris's sabotage attempts increase. The team must decide whether to stand and fight or accept defeat.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The ski patrol team makes the active choice to fight back against Maris and save their mountain. They commit to exposing his sabotage and protecting Snowy Peaks, entering into direct conflict with the developer.
Mirror World
The romantic subplot deepens as patrol leader Jerry develops his relationship with Ellen, teaching him about responsibility and commitment beyond just fun and games. She represents what he could become if he grows up.
Premise
The fun of ski patrol vs. developer warfare. The team uses their mountain skills and pranks to counter Maris's schemes. Comic set pieces of sabotage and counter-sabotage, outrageous rescues, and the team working together using their unique talents.
Midpoint
False victory: The ski patrol successfully thwarts one of Maris's major sabotage attempts and gains public support. They believe they're winning, but Maris escalates his tactics and stakes are raised. The stakes shift from survival to complete victory.
Opposition
Maris's schemes become more dangerous and effective. Internal conflicts arise within the patrol team. Personal relationships are strained. The developer gets closer to acquiring the mountain through legal and illegal means, applying pressure from all sides.
Collapse
Maris's ultimate sabotage succeeds: a staged accident threatens to shut down the mountain permanently. The patrol is blamed, their reputation destroyed. The mountain sale appears inevitable, and the team fractures. Their dream of saving Snowy Peaks seems dead.
Crisis
The team disperses in defeat, questioning whether their fight was worth it. Jerry reflects on what the mountain and the team truly mean. Dark night of the soul as they face losing everything they care about and consider giving up for good.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
The team discovers concrete evidence of Maris's sabotage or has a realization that allows them to fight back. Jerry synthesizes what Ellen taught him about responsibility with his natural leadership. They reunite with a plan to expose Maris and save the mountain.
Synthesis
The finale showdown: The ski patrol executes their plan to expose Maris's sabotage during a climactic sequence on the mountain. They use all their skills and teamwork to gather proof, rescue people from Maris's final dangerous scheme, and publicly reveal his crimes.
Transformation
The ski patrol celebrates on the mountain they saved, but now with maturity and purpose. Jerry has grown from fun-loving slacker to responsible leader while keeping his spirit. The team is together, the mountain is safe, mirroring the opening but showing transformation.