Samantha coaxes Jack into giving skiing lessons to the Stones, a rich family whose patriarch is the head of a mysterious company planning to take over the resort.

Joseph E. Levine bought the rights to make a film out of the Romain Gary story in 1964, but spent years trying to get a suitable screenplay; those who worked on the project included author and critic Hollis Alpert.

[6] At various times Peter O'Toole, Christopher Jones, Warren Beatty and Jon Voight were reportedly considered for the starring role;[5] Robert Redford was also approached but turned the part down.

[2] Roger Greenspun of The New York Times wrote, "Almost everybody in 'The Ski Bum' is first rate, much too good for the material, with special honors to Joseph Mell as the ubiquitous Burt Stone and Lori Shelle as his emotionally mature daughter.

"[8] Gene Siskel of the Chicago Tribune gave the film zero stars out of four and wrote that the young filmmakers "are moderately successful only when photographing snow.