MovieChat Forums > Aspen Extreme (1993) Discussion > Stunt skiers - ?

Stunt skiers - ?

posted 13 years ago by rkwhew_03
3 replies | jump to latest

I think I remember seeing a video where Scott Schmidt was mentioning his and Doug Coombs' involvement in the movie - the director allegedly told Coombs something like he was skiing too perfectly and that he should try to sloppy it up a bit here and there to make it look harder. Something like that. When I watch the movie I think it's fairly easy to tell them apart by their skiing styles.

It's weird but when I watch the final credits roll, I don't remember seeing their names listed amongst the stunt skiers listed. Other notables are there, but Coombs and Schmidt are hard to find - I'm watching it now and have to wait for the credits to confirm my theory...

I always wondered which (if either) of these ski pioneers did THE dramatic stunt (the 'hat') - maybe both of them did and it got spliced together, but it's pretty amazing no matter who did it. No CGI back then, just real dangerous looking...

Maybe I'm completely wrong about all of this and if so I apologize to whoever did the skiing.

I wonder if Coombs and Schmidt ever skied together on or off camera? Anyone have any movies with both in it?

[–] rkwhew_03 13 years ago

Ok, I got to the credits and their names ARE there - listed under the "2nd Unit" crew.

What does that mean, "2nd Unit"? There's a whole lotta people listed with the "2nd Unit", including a writer.

Sorry to be asking such questions that so many of you probably won't bother to respond to my inane question, but I really am sincere in my quest for knowledge, and am just a fan of Schmidt's and the late Doug Coombs most excellent skiing contributions.

[–] ex250 13 years ago

The 2nd unit is a second filming unit that does the stunts and other scenes that can be done without the actors. It's the 1st unit that does the scenes with the actors.

Promise me, no matter how hopeless things get, keep on trying, OK? Keep coming chin-up, OK?

[–] rhoff1 11 years ago

Coombs played tj Burke for the most part. And Schmidt as dexter. Coombs and Schmidt are (like you said) very easy to tell apart. Schmidt has a much more loose style. Coombs was the one who did the icefall line during the chase scene. Check out the famous "upon this rock I build my church" k2 poster. Apparently they had to reshoot the icefall line because Coombs skied it too well the first time around. The documentary you saw with Schmidt talking about Coombs was "swift, silent, deep" which is about the Jackson hole Air Force. Hope this answers some of your questions!