Snow Balling

Porn shot on film is rare in these days of inexpensive digital production, but in the pre-condom era you could occasionally find X-rated flicks shot on celluloid rather than video. One such movie is “Snow Balling,” a feature about ski-lodge sex romps that was and remains known for well-written dialogue and, most importantly, good-looking, mature studs doing wonderfully dirty things together.

After a montage of downhill skiing and some impressive jumps set to, of all things, the Beach Boys’ “I Get Around,” we see two blond, attractive lovers getting undressed after a day on the slopes. Sam (Dave Daniels) is a little put out that his boyfriend Bob (Michael Heath) was spending too much time talking to another guy. Bob says that even though they’re a couple, Sam doesn’t own him. Sam proclaims his love and gets some fireside action in return, starting with slow undressing and oral, including sensual mouth-fucking and sixty-nine. The oral lasts longer than the anal in this naturalistic, tender scene that will appeal to romantics.

Later, the two are out for a walk when they encounter the guy that got the jealousy boiling in the first place, a dark-haired, mustachioed gent named Mike (Clay Russell). They all head out for a stroll and wind up back at the cabin in a threesome. The action is hungrier here, jealousy gives way to passion, and by the end all three have kissed and made up in the best possible way.

The next day, an avalanche literally catches the trio with their pants down and they all scatter as they run for their lives. Afterward, as Sam scrambles to find the others, a skier named Phil (Kurt Williams) arrives to help. Sam finds Mike first, but then locates Bob and with the crisis over, Phil helps everyone get back to the cabin safe and sound. Only minutes later, he returns to retrieve the sunglasses he left on the table and barges in on another threeway already in progress. The three invite Phil to stay for dinner (lots of innuendo about how they all like their meat) and Mike is the one to break through Phil’s nervous reserve, setting an orgy in motion that gets so hot they never do manage to get the steaks cooked.

“Snow Balling” also holds the distinction of possibly the greatest porn soundtrack of all time, with songs by the Beach Boys, Alice Cooper, David Bowie, and Pink Floyd – some of which were brand-new songs at the time of the movie’s release. If you’re looking for snowy action to ward off the chill of autumn or at any time of year, this Bijou Pictures golden oldie directed by Nick Elliot will take you back to the days of furry, mustachioed manly men. If you like “Snow Balling,” then you’ll also want to check out “Wintertime,” featuring the same guys and the same director in a similar setting.