Main Cast: Paul Gross, Peter Berg, Finola Hughes, Teri Polo, William Russ
Release Year: 1993
Country: US
Run Time: 128 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG13
Plot
T.J. (Paul Gross) and Dex (Peter Berg) leave Detroit to wax up their skis and find an adventurous new life on the slopes of Aspen in this skiing drama. The two become instructors and take up residence in a mobile home, at first fulfilling their ultimate bachelor fantasy. But T.J. becomes torn between two women: a sugar mama who appeals to his materialistic side (Finola Hughes) and a local disc jockey closer to his own age, whom he actually loves (Teri Polo). Meanwhile, Dex's writing is not taking off like he'd hoped, and he becomes jealous of T.J.'s luck with women and effortless entrance into the glittery Aspen social network. Dex loses his job and tries to sell drugs to help make ends meet. The two sort out their various problems and their own fractious relationship against the backdrop of preparing for the big race, which provides Aspen Extreme its requisite quantity of skiing footage. ~ Derek Armstrong, All Movie Guide
Trevor Eve - Karl Stall; Martin Kemp - Franz Hauser; William McNamara - Todd Pounds; Nicolette Scorsese - Tina; Charles Boswell - Suit; Kevin Bourland - Roy; Steven Brill - Waiter; Claudia Cron - Scarlett; Tony Griffin - Gary Eimiller; Dennis Holahan - Henri; Stan Ivar - Mr. Parker; Will MacMillian - Beard; Rod McCary - Mr. Hanson; Andy Mill - Himself; Bradley Mott - Morton Hayward; Catherine Parks - Karen; Brett Porter - 2nd Bartender; Roger Wilson - Jake Neil; Julie Royer - Michelle Proux; Gail Levin; Rudi Davis - Kevin Hanson; John W. Hardy - Assembly Line Worker
Credit
Daniel Self - Art Director, E.J. Foerster - Associate Producer, Gail Levin - Casting, Karen Patch - Costume Designer, Patrick Hasburgh - Director, Steven Kemper - Editor, Michael Convertino - Composer (Music Score), Roger Cain - Production Designer, Llewellyn Wells - Production Designer, Steven Fierberg - Cinematographer, Jan Kiesser - Cinematographer, Robert Primes - Cinematographer, Fred T. Gallo - Producer, Leonard J. Goldberg - Producer, Keith Neely - Set Designer, Nina Bradford - Set Designer, Gary Jensen - Stunts, David J. Burke - Screenwriter, Patrick Hasburgh - Screenwriter, Steven Zaillian - Screenwriter
Aspen Extreme is a 1993 film that tells the story of two ski buddies, TJ Burke (Paul Gross) and Dexter Rutecki (Peter Berg), who move from Brighton, Michigan to Aspen to seek a better life. The two friends quickly become Aspen ski instructors, but women, drugs, and job troubles threaten to destroy their relationship. Along the way, TJ tries to realize his dream of becoming a professional writer, and the pair train for the upcoming Powder 8 ski competition.
The supporting cast includes Finola Hughes, Teri Polo, William Russ, and Trevor Eve. The cover of the US video release quotes the Seattle Times as referring to the film as "Top Gun on the Ski Slopes."
Skiing Footage
The backcountry and bowl skiing sequences were filmed on location at Aspen Highlands with the permission of maverick owner Whip Jones. The world famous big mountain extreme skier, Doug Coombs is credited as the stunt skier.
