Snowball Express (G, 1972)

John Baxter (Dean Jones) works for an insurance company in New York City, where he shows up late, putting his feet on his desk, shrugging his shoulders to reprimands. But when he is told that his distant uncle has died and bequeathed a ski resort to his family, the wheels in his head begin to turn. The next thing you know, he has packed up the wife and kids in the station wagon and left city living far behind. Soon he discovers that the hotel has seen better days and that all of the hard work put into its rebuilding can be shattered in an instant. Entertaining ski capers and a snowmobile race make for a fun ending.

The first thirty minutes of the movie are a little on the dull side. Once the skiers show up, however, the fun begins. Those parents who remember watching their own parents snowplow down the hill wearing bright yellow pants and orange parkas will get a kick out of the adult- paradise ski scenes. Kids will enjoy the goofy ski escapades as well as the comedic epic snowmobile race. Chances are, however, that most contemporary kids won't last through the opening credits. Worth a try, however, if your family is heading on a trip to the mountains.

Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: Norman Tokar
Cast: Dean Jones, Harry Morgan, Nancy Olson
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 93 minutes
Theatrical release: April 22, 1972
DVD release: April 22, 2003
MPAA Rating: G
MPAA explanation: General Audiences