My heat-wave survival strategy: binge shows with snow

As if hot flashes in our 40s and 50s weren’t enough. Now there are wave after wave of 90-plus heatwaves. And as we age, our body’s innate ability to cool us during these heatwaves declines as well. We don’t sweat as much and the blood flow to our skin slows, impairing the core functions that help our bodies regulate heat. I suffer an additional ignominy: heat-triggered vasovagal syncope. (What? I faint when my body overheats, which is does with just a slight uptick of the thermometer.)

So when the summer heat feels relentless, as it has this summer, I have a simple escape plan: find the iciest, snowiest, most frostbitten films and TV series possible, pour an iced tea (or a hot cocoa), and binge until I feel like I need a blanket.

Whether you’re in the mood for high-stakes mountaineering, crime-solving in icy villages, or meditative alpine tales, these shows and films will make you forget the heat outside. In fact, you might just reach for a sweater.

Alex Hugo: Mountain Detective (2014 – present, France)

A current personal favorite, this French crime drama, starring Samuel Le Bihan, follows former Marseille detective Alex Hugo as he solves murders in the breathtaking Hautes-Alpes. The show balances tense mysteries with sweeping mountain cinematography that could make you feel the crisp alpine air. The series has been praised for its stunning visuals and nuanced performances, and it remains a fan favorite in France.

Three seasons. Stream on the PBS Passport or MHz Choice (with English subtitles).

Arctic Circle (Ivalo) (2018–present, Finland)

I was riveted by this Finnish-German crime thriller during the first 100-degree-plus week of the summer. Set in the icy wilderness of Lapland, Arctic Circle blends Nordic Noir with medical drama and international intrigue.

Detective Nina Kautsalo, a grounded and resilient single mother, uncovers a case that begins with a dying sex worker in a remote cabin and spirals into a global conspiracy involving a deadly virus, German virologists, Russian gangsters, and secret societies. The stark Arctic landscapes and snowmobile chases heighten the tension and mirror the characters’ isolation. Tackling themes from sex trafficking to bioethics, Arctic Circle offers a fresh twist on the crime genre.

Four seasons, each with its own narrative track. The Finnish title, Ivalo, refers to the town of Ivalo, which is about 155 miles north of the Arctic Circle and 31 miles from the Russian border.

Available on MHz Choice and Amazon Prime Video/MHz with English subtitles.

Lilyhammer (2012–2014, Netflix Original)

Mafia member Frank Tagliano (Steve Van Zandt) agrees to testify against his boss in a lawsuit in New York on one condition: that he is using the FBI’s witness protection program to start a new life in Lillehammer, Norway. But the meeting with the former Olympic city is not quite as he imagined.

“Lilyhammer starts off with a vibe akin to The Sopranos but evolves into a comedic gem rather than a traditional mafia series. The crime show is truly amusing and entertaining as it features beautiful landscapes, exceptional musical scores, funny and quirky characters, and a generous dose of black comedy,” per Movieweb

Lilyhammer was the first original series on Netflix and earned several Gullruten Awards (Norway’s TV awards) for acting and drama. Available on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video (with English subtitles).

Seaside Hotel (Badehotellet) (2013–2024, Denmark)

This long-running Danish series, Badehotellet is a nostalgic favorite, set in a charming seaside hotel on Denmark’s North Sea coast. Beginning in 1928, each season follows both the wealthy Copenhagen vacationers and the working-class hotel staff who serve them. Against the backdrop of beachside romance, class tensions, and family drama, the series gradually moves through the 1930s, where the looming threat of war begins to touch the lives of everyone at the hotel.

The coastal scenery will captivate you, as will the period costumes and sharp storytelling. Seaside Hotel balances humor, tenderness, and historical depth. It is one of Denmark’s most beloved television exports. While there are no mountains or snow, we feel swimming in the North Sea is chilly enough to include it on this list.

Ten seasons. Stream it on PBS Passport and Viaplay on Amazon Prime Video.

Cassandre (2023, France)

An engaging series with a strong female lead and original stories of crime in the French Alps. Parisian cop Florence Cassandre moves to Annecy and takes a new job investigating crimes in the stunningly beautiful Haute-Savoie region, where she isn’t warmly embraced by the locals. She also reunites with her teenage son, who resesnts her dedication to her job.. Cassandre is a brilliant homicide investigator; her team comprises eccentric but effective officers. Set against the white slopes and jagged peaks of the Alps, it’s both drama and love letter to alpine life. And that aquamarine lake!

Two seasons. Stream Cassandre (with English subtitles) on MHz Choice.

Vermiglio (2023, Italy)

An elegiac Italian drama that could be described as Heidi-meets-The Godfather, without the murders. Okay, there’s one murder, but it’s offscreen. Set in a remote, impoverished, snowbound village in the Italian Alps, it follows a young mountain woman who arrived at marriageable age when World War II erupted, taking away any eligible men.

The film captures the rhythms and tragedies of life in a place where the mountains and hidebound old customs dominate. “Without a man, the wheels start to come off,” observes one mountain woman to another as they strip what looks like arugula. Visually, the film is like a moving Renaissance painting. A period art film, it is slow, deliberate, and pensive. Winner of the Silver Lion at the 2024 Venice Film Festival, Maura Delpero’s visionary film conjures stories from her own family’s past to create a deeply personal and human tale.

Find it (with English subtitles) on Amazon Prime Video.

The Eight Mountains (2022, Italy)

This may seem like an odd recommendation, since we are a magazine for mature women. Eight Mountains follows two boys, one from the city, the other from the mountains, over the course of a decade. At first glance you may think it’s a boy/man buddy film, but frankly I don’t see many boys or men watching it. On the other hand, its exploration of lifelong friendship despite the individuals’ paths is universal. The concept of “eight mountains,” introduced midway through the film, is key to understanding its message.

The setting, the Aosta Valley in the Italian Alps, is both serene and powerful, with the mountains essential to the bond two men share. And there is a lot of snow. Winner of the Jury Prize at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival.

Stream on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video.

Everest (2015)

The word for this film is “harrowing.” Based on the harrowing true events of the 1996 Mount Everest disaster, Everest follows two expedition teams led by guides Rob Hall (Jason Clarke) and Scott Fischer (Jake Gyllenhaal) as they face one of the deadliest storms in climbing history. The film captures the awe and danger of high-altitude mountaineering, blending breathtaking cinematography with intense human drama. Also starring Josh Brolin, Keira Knightley, and Robin Wright, it’s a testament to courage, survival, and the unforgiving power of nature. Available on Peacock, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV.

Blue Hare has affiliate relationships with Amazon and other retailers. We may receive a commission from purchases made through qualifying links on this page.

* * *

You may also like

See what else you missed on Blue Hare’s home page.