Have you ever wondered where the iconic sled scene from the classic holiday film “Christmas Vacation” was filmed? Well, wonder no more! We’ve got all the details on the location and how it was brought to life on screen.
The Location
The sled scene in “Christmas Vacation” takes place at the fictional town of Hohman, Indiana. However, the actual filming location was in Colorado, specifically at Breckenridge Ski Resort.
The Scene
In the film, Clark Griswold (played by Chevy Chase) decides to take his family sledding down a steep hill. He uses a lubricant called “Krazy Glue” to make their sled go faster, but things quickly spiral out of control as they speed down the hill and crash through various obstacles.
The Making Of
To create the illusion of a steep hill, filmmakers used a combination of real snow and fake snow made from potato flakes. The crew also built ramps and jumps for the sled to go over during filming.
The famous scene where Clark’s son Rusty flies off the sled and into a pile of snow was achieved using a specially designed ramp. Actor Johnny Galecki (who played Rusty) had to be strapped onto a wire and pulled backwards off the ramp to create the realistic effect.
Filming Challenges
Filming in snowy conditions always presents challenges for filmmakers, and “Christmas Vacation” was no exception. Crew members had to constantly shovel snow off of equipment and clear paths for actors to walk on.
Additionally, Chevy Chase reportedly had trouble controlling his sled during filming. In one take, he crashed into a camera and knocked it over!
The Legacy
Despite its challenges, the sled scene from “Christmas Vacation” has become one of the most memorable moments in holiday movie history. It has been parodied and referenced in numerous other films and TV shows, cementing its place in pop culture.
So there you have it – the location, scene details, and behind-the-scenes tidbits of the sled scene from “Christmas Vacation.” Now you can impress your friends and family with your movie trivia knowledge this holiday season!