Original subtitles

He's expecting me.

I closed the deal for snow valley lodge.

That's great.

Congratulations.

I want you to go up there and take a look.

It's just a mom-and-pop operation right now,

but it's a great location,

and we're going to turn it into

the first falcon winter sports resort.

And I want the usual demographic...

Adults, 21-45, no kids.

We've got to haul this place into the 21st century quickly.

I want an apres-ski bar, I want a spa,

I want a nightclub,

I want one of those snowmobile racing circuits.

You know, like we have with the go-carts in cabo.

You've got one week

to recommend to us how we go about doing all this.

You ski, right?

No.

Well, maybe I should send Bart Johnson from sales, huh?

I don't jet-ski and I don't parasail,

but I put them all together for Costa Rica,

remember?

Yes. Yes, you did.

Get up there and give it a try.

I will join you on Tuesday.

I've got some financial business to take care of

with the local partners in Augusta,

but I can handle that in the afternoon.

Peter Bryant from St. Lucia

returning your call.

Uh, by the way,

that happens to be Christmas Eve.

Why don't you and I grab a Christmas lunch

at the hotel in Augusta,

just the two of us, like the old days?

That'd be great, dad.

Peter, why did I send you to St. Lucia?

He can't send you up there.

It's Christmas week!

He's the boss.

He's your father.

Tell him that at the quarterly review.

I don't do cold.

You know what he's going to do.

He's going to knock it all down and start again from scratch

like he does everywhere.

I know.

So, can't you do it from here with Google maps?

He likes us to get "embedded" in our projects,

remember?

Okay, give him your pitch on Christmas Eve,

then ditch him and fly home.

Spend Christmas day with us.

Oh, I wish I could,

but, yeah, I should spend it with my father.

Besides, us becks were never were big on Christmas anyway.

Well...

Excuse me, mom?

The donovans are wondering if they can still have

the room-service Christmas day dinner after all?

That means we're a plum pudding short.

Of course they can.

I'll just have to make another one.

Sally and the kids just arrived.

That's great.

Jack and Anna Johnson will be here in half an hour.

Estonian pirukads.

You're going to love them.

I bake them only at Christmas time.

I'll check their cabin next.

They need two baskets,

and they like the gingerbread men.

But Anna called

and said he can't have the chocolate log these days.

Hello?

Hello!

I think I'm losing you...

Hello...

Well, I'll see what I can do...

Hello?

I lost him.

I hate cell phones.

That was someone's assistant from falcon.

Why can't people drive when they're driving,

and call when they're calling?

Why does everyone have to do two things at once?

Whatever happened to stop and smell the coffee

and watch the snow fall?

That's doing two things at once.

You know what I mean.

Have we got room in the lodge for one?

They're not sending another executive up here,

not a week before Christmas?

What could I do?

Well, you could say no, dad.

And don't ask me to babysit him.

Ah, ah! Chocolate logs.

What is this one coming out for?

They bought it already.

I don't know.

I hardly heard a word the assistant said.

Something about a report.

Have you seen my glasses?

Ted Beck probably wants to make sure

he knows exactly what we do at Christmas,

so next year he gets it right without us.

Oh, it'll be okay...

We're just on the other side of the valley.

We'll come back and visit all our friends,

but someone else will do all the hard work.

Don't worry, sweetie. Nothing's going to change.

Ted gave us his word.

Thank you.

Hey!

Oh, my.

Did I do that?

I am so sorry.

Are you okay?

I'm soaked!

I'm sorry...

Hey! I'll do it.

Do you always drive like that?

Like what?

Splashing into puddles and soaking people.

Well, no, I didn't see it.

Besides, you probably shouldn't stand

too close to potholes,

'cause slush happens, right?

Oh, so now it's my fault that you soaked me?

No, I didn't say that.

And I also did just apologize

just now.

Excuse me,

is anybody from snow valley lodge here?

I'm supposed to have a car picking me up.

Andy!

Did someone just get off that chopper?

He's from snow valley. She's from the chopper.

You're from falcon?

Yes.

Is that all your luggage?

Yes.

Okay.

Careful!

You can get in if you like.

Um...

Want me to get that for you?

Thank you.

Hey, Brady!

Supposed to snow up on the Mountain tonight.

You going to catch the powder tomorrow?

No, I'm not back till after Christmas.

- Dude! - Yeah, I know.

Tell me about it, right?

Brutal.

Are you Brady Lewis,

Paul Lewis's son?

Yup.

Why didn't you tell me?

You didn't ask.

I'm Stephanie Beck.

Ted Beck's daughter?

Yes.

Well, that figures

: Have you seen the car keys?

Where are you going?

To pick up the executive from falcon

I'm 20 minutes late.

It's okay, I sent Brady.

Oh, thank goodness.

I sat down for just a minute,

and the next thing you know,

I was asleep for an hour.

Why didn't you wake me?

We'd better get cleaned up to greet this executive.

Why? You look great.

You never get a second chance to make a first impression

and I want everyone who works for Ted Beck

to realize how lucky they are we let him buy snow valley.

Here we are.

Oh!

How can anyone live up here?

What, you don't you have winter in Phoenix?

Winter is when we turn down the air-conditioning,

and turn on the heater in the pool.

Up here, we have six months of deep winter,

one month of perfect fall,

five months of mosquitoes the size of cessnas.

You're going to love living here.

Oh, I have no intention of living up here.

We'll put in a manager like we do at all our resorts.

Do you always put up this many Christmas decorations?

At Christmas, yes.

And where's the skiing?

You want to go skiing?

No, I don't ski.

I just, I need to know,

that's all.

Well, we have a shuttle. It goes up to blue Mountain.

It's a 30-minute ride.

Oh, well, we'll need something closer than that.

Yeah...

Well, you'll have to move a Mountain to get that.

Dad, this is Stephanie Beck.

Ted Beck's daughter.

Oh, Stephanie!

I'm sorry,

I didn't realize it was you coming.

Merry Christmas!

Oh, it's nice to meet you, too.

Oh.

Karla, this is Stephanie Beck.

This is my wife, karla.

Welcome! Merry Christmas!

Oh, merry Christmas.

It's certainly a lovely place.

See why your father bought it?

Dad, the o'Brians are going to be here any minute,

and I need to check their cabin.

Could you please show Stephanie to her room?

Yeah.

Thank you. Excuse me.

I have things to do.

You must be hungry.

Can I get you something to eat?

Oh, no, thank you, I ate on the plane.

Oh, piffle.

That's not proper food.

At least try a spesiur pastry.

They're from Iceland. I baked them this morning.

No, thank you, really.

You probably want to freshen up.

We have a lovely room for you here in the lodge.

You'll be close to

all the Christmas traditional festivities.

Really, I need to just get straight to work.

But I do need one thing from you

I couldn't find in what you gave us

about your client demographics?

"Client demographics?"

Your guests.

What are their ages? Are they couples, singles?

That kind of thing.

Oh, they're all ages... 8 months to 80 years.

And almost all families.

I mean, they register, of course,

but we don't keep anything more than that.

We know almost everybody who stays here.

I guess we could go back through the records

and figure it out...

That would be a big help.

Thank you.

Oh! Right this way.

She seems nice.

Mom, why did falcon send someone who hates winter

to write a report about Christmas at snow valley?

Did you two get off on the wrong foot?

I don't think she has a right foot.

She's clawing her way up the ladder of the company,

and I'm sure she'll write

what he wants to read.

Good, because Ted said he likes everything

- exactly the way it is. - Yeah, right.

She'd like you to send up a Caesar salad later.

And she needs you

to go back through the records for five years,

check out the ages, and sexes, about the guests.

Seriously?

Yeah.

That'll take me hours.

I forgot.

We were supposed to

send it to them weeks ago.

Please?

Why doesn't Brady get it?

That our guests like our christmases the way it is.

What would the Johnsons, and the bennetts,

and the mckays, and everyone do?

We made the right decision for the boys and for us.

It's time.

As for the rest,

it will work itself out

the way it's supposed to.

Come in.

Your salad.

Thank you.

I put some Cranberries in it to make it more christmassy.

And I brought you some brunsli.

They're traditional Christmas cookies

from Switzerland.

Beck is usually a Swiss name,

so I thought maybe your family came from there originally?

Oh, I don't know anything about our family history.

Well,

enjoy them anyway.

Thank you.

We, um,

we haven't told any of our guests yet

about us leaving.

We didn't want to upset their Christmas.

I won't say anything.

Thank you.

♪ We wish you a merry Christmas ♪

♪ we wish you a merry Christmas ♪

♪ and a happy new year

♪ good tidings we bring

♪ to you and your kin

♪ good tidings at Christmas

♪ and a happy new year

♪ We wish you a merry Christmas... ♪

Dad, I can hardly hear you.

The reception's terrible.

No, I haven't taken the tour yet.

I just got here last night.

Yes, I will make sure I see everything.

Dad, I'm losing you.

Dad?

Memo for report...

Get a decent cell phone relay near the lodge.

You're new, aren't you?

Yes, it's my first time here.

We come every Christmas.

You need to eat the Christmas oatmeal

from Finland.

It's got lingonberries in it.

And that's Christmas cinnamon bread from Iceland.

It's the best bread.

Aunty karla makes it.

Oh, karla's your aunt?

Honorary aunt.

Do you know what today is?

Uh, Friday?

It's the feast of St. Thomas.

"Swiss tradition has it

"that on the night of the feast of St. Thomas,

a spinster..." That's an unmarried woman,

sweetie...

"A spinster can meet her future husband

"in her dreams.

"First she must step on a stool to get into bed.

"Then she must stand on her bed and take her shoes off.

Then she must spin around three times..."

Nice...

"And throw her shoes at the door.

"Finally, she must sleep with her feet on the pillows

"at the head of the bed.

"If she follows these instructions perfectly,

"that night,

she will dream of the man she is destined to marry."

Wow.

And you do all of this?

Every year.

It's tradition.

Have a nice breakfast.

Thanks. You too.

She's adorable.

Thank you.

She's normally pretty quiet,

but up here...

Okay, now you have to try the hot breakfast.

Karla makes it all fresh from scratch.

Oh. Yeah, I think I'll stick with the fruit.

Hmm. Okay.

Are you coming tobogganing today?

Yeah, no, I gotta work.

Sorry, kiddo.

Finally, karla's food!

Sally!

Ah, you starting to chill?

Oh, you better believe it.

Hey.

Good morning.

Oh, I forgot to ask you last night,

where's the exercise room?

Out there.

Okay, I guess we'll have to build one.

Gym inside, so our guests can stay warm.

Uh, okay,

today I need to see the cross-country ski trails,

the snowshoeing trails,

the sledding run, the ice skating,

and the ice fishing.

If we do all that by snowmobile, can we finish by lunch?

No.

How long is it going to take?

I'll see what I can do.

Have a good breakfast.

No! We do not allow snowmobiles on the property.

She wants to see it all,

this morning.

She won't see what she needs to see

the way she needs to see it

on a snowmobile.

It's the 21st century.

Well, who said the 21st century

has to be full of noise!

She can ski and snowshoe like everybody else.

She's never skied.

Well, you'll have to teach her.

She doesn't even own a snowsuit!

Well, then you'll have to find one she can borrow!

I don't have time for all of this!

Our guests come here for a peaceful Christmas.

They don't need it wrecked

by the blast of a motorized monstrosity

ripping through it like a chainsaw!

I do not ski.

Well, it's cross-country.

It's a little different.

Plus, it's the only way

that you're going to get a chance to see

all the ski trails.

So... you can walk, right?

Not on skis!

It's kind of like the same thing.

I do not do winter!

My blood is starting to freeze!

You'll warm up once you get moving.

If I move, I'll fall.

Here you go. Here.

There.

Okay, well, here, watch me.

Maybe it'll help.

All right, you see how my heels, huh?

It's kind of like moon walking, except I'm going forward?

Then if you want to stop,

what you want to do is bring your ski tips together,

make a wedge shape, kind of like a piece of pizza,

okay, and then

it's equal pressure on both legs.

And just push out.

That's kind of how you stop.

So, give it a try.

There you go...

Oh!

See?

I can't do this!

Well, you've hardly tried.

It's all right.

I'll help you up.

All right, we'll try it again.

Just get this ski back on...

All right.

Okay, you know what,

just get the skis parallel, okay?

Straighten them out.

Don't worry, I'll help hold you.

There you go.

Okay, let's try something different.

Don't put one foot in front of the other,

just keep them where they are.

Okay, both poles.

All you're going to do is just push straight.

Okay? Give it a try.

There you go, just push off those poles,

keep your hips over your feet.

There you go.

Very good.

That was good.

Yeah, no, I...

I, uh...

I can't do this.

I, uh...

I need a snowmobile.

Look, in three months,

my father can have as many snowmobiles here

as he wants.

Look, in three months,

my father's not going to be here,

so he won't care.

Watch these kids.

Looking good, Peter.

See, if the little kid can do it,

you can do it.

Come on, try again.

Get those skis parallel.

All right.

Yeah, that's it.

All right.

Now we're cooking.

There you go, you're getting it.

Okay, start doing the wedge thing.

Watch it.

It's a steep hill, you've got to point your skis.

The pizza thing!

Watch out for that tree!

Are you laughing at me?

No, I wasn't, I promise!

E! Are you laughing at me?

So, how did it... go.

That well, huh?

Yeah.

Are you heading to the lake lunch?

Of course.

Well then, you can show her the beach.

The two of you are going to have to spend

a lot of time together this week.

You know, your father promised Ted Beck

we'd show her everything.

Yeah, well, if he'd let me use a snowmobile,

I could show her everything in an afternoon.

That's his way.

Are you looking for something diet?

Is there anything?

Ha! I doubt it.

What you need

is nice big mug of barszczt.

It's the traditional Christmas soup in Poland.

Does everything have to do with Christmas?

At Christmas, it does.

Oh...

Smell that.

Ah.

Dumplings. Mm-mm-mm-mm...

So is this

where all the guests swim in the summertime?

And where we launch the canoes for fishing.

Here you go.

Thank you.

And what's that?

That is an ice-fishing huts.

There's a deep pool there

where some of the best trout in the lake go in the winter.

How do you ice-fish?

Ah, you drill a hole in the ice

and you drop a hook in it,

and you freeze your you-know-what off,

hoping some poor idiot fish takes a bite.

I'll pass.

Um, I'm Sally, by the way,

Sally Bennett.

Stephanie Beck.

Hi.

Hi.

How did the skiing go?

It went.

Well, you'll get it.

Brady taught both my kids.

He's the ski instructor?

Well, yeah, I guess.

He's the go-to guy for whatever karla doesn't cook

or whatever Paul doesn't really do any longer.

Oh, he's such a good guy.

What? You'll see. My kids love hanging out with him.

He's like everyone's honorary Uncle.

Do you have kids?

No.

No Mr. Beck?

Only my father.

So, where do you normally spend Christmas?

Phoenix.

That's home?

Mm-hmm.

Oh.

So is this your first white Christmas?

Yeah.

Wow.

So, did you ever imagine anything this cold

could be this beautiful?

I could never imagine anything this cold period.

Yeah, we're from L.A.

Well, we are these days.

And you know what, I spent one Christmas, just one, there.

I mean, I have to have like, a proper Christmas,

you know, with, like, a roaring fire inside,

and outside it's like freezing cold

and it's white with snow everywhere, and...

Have you ever seen it snow?

No.

Huh.

Wow.

Well, hopefully, you will before you leave.

Zak!

Those boots need to be tighter.

Excuse me.

How are your feet feeling?

Numb.

You need some proper winter clothes.

I'm only here for a few days.

It doesn't matter if you're here

for only a few hours,

you'll catch your death if you don't dress right.

Brady will drive you to the store

at blue Mountain this afternoon.

Excuse me.

Here's the guest demographics that you asked for.

Oh, thank you.

Oh, can you

turn on the heater, please?

Yeah.

There you go.

Hey, you know what mainers do

when the lake freezes over?

They stop sunbathing on the dock.

Hey, you guys have fun.

Almost all your guests are families?

Singles don't stay here?

Not really.

There's a few in the summer, I guess, for the fishing.

That is so not falcon.

Uh, is this a typo?

What?

Well, it says that there's 100% occupancy

from the middle of November

until early January.

No, that's no typo.

We're usually fully booked from the first day of advent

till the 12th night of Christmas.

52 days

with one Christmas special event

every single one of them.

Wow, that's... That's good marketing.

Whose idea was that?

My great grandfather came up with it.

He had a little lodge that was always booked up,

so he and my grandfather they built this big lodge,

then they built the cabins

when my dad was still a kid.

My dad, he just followed in their footsteps.

You don't sound too thrilled about it.

Ah...

Well, you try spending seven weeks of your Christmas

taking care of a dozen or so families 24-7.

I mean, the kids are great,

don't get me wrong,

but you've got to treat everyone like they're family, right?

The only problem is,

they don't actually all pitch in and lend a hand

like a real family, so...

I think the Christmas gene

kind of skipped over a generation with Jack and me.

Jack?

Yeah, he's my brother.

Oh, I didn't know you had a brother?

Does he work

at snow valley, too?

No way! He lives in Australia.

Does he come home for Christmas?

It's too far.

Look, I got nothing

against Christmas, all right?

I just think one day would be enough.

Yeah, well, I didn't even get one day of Christmas growing up.

It was just my father and me,

so all of our christmases

were pretty much a store-wrapped gift

bought by one of his assistants,

and a rubber Turkey lunch

at the restaurant in one of hotels

in the franchises he was running at the time.

Yeah, not much magic

in Christmas like that.

Bah, humbug!

Looks like we have something in common.

We're both grinches.

How about this one?

It's a little more fitted.

Hmm...

I don't know, what do you think?

I think they both look good.

Yes, and you'll freeze in both of them.

Hi. May I?

"Good to 32 degrees."

You might as well go outside naked.

"32." No...

No...

Okay... yes.

Your call.

I'd look like a beached whale in those

no, you'll look like someone who has the brains to stay warm.

The blue's a really nice color on you.

Look, we can drive to Augusta if you want,

but it's going to take an hour or more,

and honestly, everything they have,

it's not going to keep you any warmer

than either of these two.

That's another thing.

"We'll need a store on the property

and our own line of warm winter clothing."

That's a good idea.

I'll be outside.

Oh, and for what it's worth, she's right.

Blue is a good color on you.

Oh...

That looks like fun.

Yeah, it is.

The kids love it.

How come there isn't a tube run

in snow valley?

Oh, I'm not the guy you talk to

about things like that.

Okay, it needs a longer slope,

and we'd need a belt

to bring the kids back up safely with the tubes,

but my father, he doesn't believe

that we need anything mechanical on our property.

I, uh, I wanted to thank you

for teaching me how to cross-country today.

It was good for me to get out on the trails again.

I hadn't seen them in a while.

And thank you for helping me

with the shopping.

My pleasure.

And while we're at it,

I'm sorry for screwing picking you up at the airport.

Oh, it's okay.

We're going to be spending a lot of time together

this week, so...

I'm Brady Lewis.

Hi, I'm Stephanie Beck. It's a pleasure to meet you.

A pleasure to meet you.

Would you do the honors, Harvey?

Oh, I'd be delighted.

Today is the feast of St. Thomas.

On this day, a long, long time ago,

my parents brought me to snow valley

for our very first Christmas here.

Yup, and we've been trying to get rid of you ever since.

The skis were made of wood back then,

and so were all the toboggans.

And all the forests were full

of real, live abominable snowmen!

So, every year, this day, we trim the tree.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, Harvey.

Merry Christmas.

All right, everyone. Find your decorations.

Help yourselves.

There we go, there we go...

Mom, I can't find my train.

Zak, I know where it is.

Here it is.

Thank you.

Oh, and here's yours, angeline.

Thank you.

And this one must be yours...

I heard a rumor

that you finally sold the place.

Don't worry, I won't tell anyone.

I just hope that the people who bought it

realize what a gem they've gotten.

Excuse me a minute, Harvey.

Everyone's here. Come in and say hello.

Yeah, I will later.

Cabin six is low on kindling.

That can wait.

How could you not want to take over snow valley?

Dad!

We've been through this a million times.

It's too late now.

Everything we built here, we built for you!

No, you didn't!

Great grandpa and grandpa built it for you,

and you kept it their way to please them.

Now, Ted Beck is going to come in here

and he'll drag this place into the 21st century.

And he'll add a whole load of new things

that you refused to even talk about.

Ted Beck likes this place just the way it is.

He's going to keep everything exactly the same, remember?

That's why we sold it to him!

Yeah. Yeah, that's right.

Is that in the contract?

What are you two doing out here?

We have a house full of guests waiting inside

to trim the tree.

I have the staff schedules to work on, ma.

We're fully booked for the whole Christmas season!

Paul...

Well, if it ain't broke,

why does he keep on saying it needs fixing?

All Jack and Brady ever wanted to do

was to keep the lodge growing

and build something of their own.

Well, they'll have to build it somewhere else now,

aren't they?

It's okay, Paul.

It's okay.

Brady's moving on, and we are, too.

Come in!

Since Paul's grandfather started snow valley,

every guest has been given their own decoration

for the Christmas tree in the great room.

Would you...

Mind hanging this on the tree

so we don't break the tradition?

Oh, no, I'm sorry, I'm working.

Please?

Oh, it's...

It's so sweet.

Well done!

Welcome to

the snow valley Christmas family.

Thank you.

Are you sure we can't persuade you

to stay for Christmas day?

Come on...

Oh, I wish I could.

But it really is beautiful.

What are the kids doing?

Oh, they all bring a gift

for the children at the hospital.

We wrap them right after we've trimmed the tree.

It gets Christmas off onto the right foot.

Reminds them it's not just about what they get,

but also about what they give.

Oh, I wish I'd known.

I would have bought something.

Brady bought an extra for you just in case.

Really? That's so kind of him.

Would you like to help?

Yeah.

There you go.

Oh, thank you.

Shall I take that?

Oh, please.

Hi!

Can we help you?

Please?

Oh, thank you, yes. I could use some help.

What's your name?

Amanda.

Hi, Amanda. I'm Stephanie.

It's nice to meet you.

I don't wrap my own gifts very often,

but I think you turn it upside down.

"The feast of St. Thomas...

"Swiss tradition has it

"that on the night of the feast of St. Thomas,

"a spinster can meet her future husband

in her dreams."

Who believes this stuff?

"First, she must step on a stool and get into bed..."

"Then she must stand on her bed

and take off her shoes..."

I can't believe I'm doing this.

"Then she must spin around three times

and throw her shoes at the door..."

Two.. Three.

Is that three?

Okay.

"Finally, she must sleep with her feet on the pillow

at the head of the bed.

"If she follows these instructions perfectly,

"that night, she will dream

of the man she is destined to marry."

Oh, you are stark raving loco, Stephanie Beck!

No way!

Not Brady.

No chance!

No way, no how!

Definitely not Brady.

Who did you dream about?

What?

In your St. Thomas's dream, who did you dream about?

Uh... I don't remember.

Yes, you do.

If you tell me who you dreamed about,

I'll tell you who I dreamed about.

It'll be our secret,

we'll pinky-swear.

And exactly what are you two pinky-swearing about?

That's our secret.

So, we're still heading up Gabriel's point tonight, right?

Yeah.

Okay. We're going to snowshoe.

Snowshoe!

Easier than walking.

Don't worry, Brady will take care of you.

Did we order the extra Christmas lights

for tomorrow?

Her dream...

Whose what?

Nothing.

Yes, you ordered them yesterday.

So, what were you two pinky-swearing about?

Nothing.

This is easier than I thought.

Race you to the top!

Whoo! The new kid wins!

I claim foul.

Wow...

I'd forgotten how beautiful it is.

When was the last time you were here?

Well, last fall.

You mean in the winter?

I don't know.

How can you not come someplace so beautiful?

I guess I just took it for granted

it would always be here,

or I would be.

Will you change much?

Snow valley?

Well, we'll have to change some of it.

But hopefully not as much as I thought we should.

Do you hear that?

What?

Nothing.

The silence.

Hey!

Strike a pose.

Come on.

There.

You can tweet all your friends to prove you really were here.

Um, what's over there?

There's a creek down there.

You just can't see it right now.

Best fly-fishing in the county.

My dad and I,

we caught a six-pound brook trout there.

Still hold the record.

My mom, she rolled it in flour and cornmeal,

cooked it up

with slices of salted pork till it was crisp.

I always remember how that tasted.

I can't believe that you're willing

to give all of this up.

You could make a real difference here.

What's this?

That's a plum pudding.

I thought I'd finished making them weeks ago,

but we needed another one.

And how many guests do you cook for at Christmas?

On Christmas Eve,

there's 10, maybe 12 families

for the feast of the seven fishes

here in the lodge.

It depends on the year.

You count your guests in families?

Some are three generations, remember?

Especially at Christmas.

And what's "feast of the seven fishes?"

That is the traditional

Italian dinner on Christmas Eve.

Then on Christmas day,

most of the guests have their christmases

in their cabins.

There's just a few of us here at the lodge.

And who is "pere Noel"?

Pere Noel...

Pere Noel is the French version of Santa claus,

except that Santa claus

puts gifts in your stockings on Christmas Eve

after you go to sleep,

whereas...

Pere Noel puts candies in your shoes

on Christmas morning before you wake up.

That's better for the parents,

because that way,

the children don't try to stay awake

in order to see him.

What's that?

This afternoon,

the children are going to make

their gingerbread houses.

Every little detail about Christmas

is important to you, isn't it?

Well, not just to me.

To all our guests.

That's why we do it.

Aren't you going to miss it?

Every single bit of it.

But...

Christmas is like a Baton

passed down from one generation to the next.

It reminds us of who we are,

where we came from.

It was passed down

from Paul's grandfather to Paul's father,

to Paul, to...

Well, now we're passing it along to you.

And to falcon.

Promise me you'll take good care of it.

Hey!

Whoa!

Come on, ladies, you going to go have a run?

No way.

We will let you have all the fun.

So how long have you known Brady?

Pretty much all my life.

We came here every year.

Two weeks at Christmas,

six weeks of summer vacation,

sometimes a week at spring break.

I'm a month younger than Jack...

Which he never lets me forget...

So he and Brady were like, I don't know,

cousins that I always saw on vacation.

And you never got bored

coming to the same place every year?

Are you kidding?

No, this is like coming home.

I haven't seen Brady have this much fun in ages.

Yeah! Whoo!

So, tell me,

how come Brady's never gotten married?

Ah, well, I guess it's hard to settle down

when you're always thinking about moving on.

Well, Jack and Brady were always going to take over the place.

Oh, they had big plans for it.

Jack always had the business head,

but Brady was always...

Well, he was always the visionary.

But in the last couple years,

we hear him talk less about his dreams,

and more and more

about following in his big brother's footsteps.

Look out!

Whoo!

Oh, bad 180...

Vroom! Pow! Pow!

Mom!

Zak, you can bomb your own house.

Please don't bomb your sister's

all right, now, when you're finished,

we're going to let them dry,

and then you can take the gingerbread houses

back to your cabins.

Has everyone written their letters to Santa?

Yup. Yeah.

Is there anyone who hasn't written a letter to Santa??

Me.

Don't worry.

I'll get you some paper.

It's never too late to write to Santa.

We put the last-minute letters to him

on the mantle over the fireplace.

They get to him, don't ask me how!

I think the elf express

must pick them up!

Did you write your letter to Santa?

Not yet.

You'd better,

or your Christmas wish won't come true.

Hi, dad.

Hey, weren't we supposed to have a meeting

about an hour ago?

Oh, sorry, I was just, uh...

Do you know,

that they do the most amazing Christmas here?

They do what?

They put on a huge Christmas.

Something every day for the kids.

Yeah, they're fully booked

from before Thanksgiving to halfway through January.

You know, instead of, uh,

having lunch at the hotel, why don't you...

That's not what you're up there for.

Your report's due in three days.

Our execs don't get embedded in our projects

so they can get sucked in.

I'm not getting sucked in.

For a start, it's great marketing.

Why don't come up here and spend Christmas

and see for yourself?

Stephanie, this is not about what they do for Christmas.

It's about how we're going to do what we want

with our real estate.

Now, are you going to be okay to handle this,

or do I have to call Bart Johnson

and send him up there?

I'm handling it fine, dad.

Good.

Stephanie!

What are you doing out here?

Oh, sorry, I...

Your mom said

there was nothing like a brisk walk in the snow

to help clear your mind.

Right, yeah.

Well, we'll make a mainer out of you yet.

What's on your mind?

Uh... my father.

It's too long, too complicated.

Oh, believe me, I know how that feels.

Uh, Stephanie?

Would you like to have dinner with me tonight?

I mean, I know,

if you've got your report, I understand.

Yeah.

I mean, no.

If you have an evening off,

wouldn't you rather go skiing?

- No. - Yeah. Then I'd love to.

Wow.

Are you ready for a real mainer dinner?

We're going for lobster?

Ah... sort of.

First, we're going for a little walk.

I'm not dressed for this.

I should have worn...

Not a chance, you look gorgeous.

Not like an idiot

who doesn't have the brains to dress warm enough?

If I catch pneumonia...

Don't worry about pneumonia. Worry about the bears.

Bears!

There are bears here?

Well, I wouldn't worry.

I mean, they are hibernating.

Oh, good.

But the bobcats...

What? Oh, stop it.

What are we doing here?

Ice fishing?

You said you wanted to see everything.

Oh, Brady.

It's beautiful.

Take your coat off.

You'll get too hot.

All right...

Excuse me.

Oh.

Time to catch some dinner.

Oh.

I-I do not fish.

Then what are you gonna eat?

Ooh, look, I got one!

Yeah, you got a bite.

That's right, that's right.

I got one!

Drop the rod and slow down.

Slow down, slow down.

Okay, okay.

Let him run a little.

Now reel him in.

Okay. I'm fishing!

You're totally fishing right now, look at you.

Okay, reel him in!

Reel him in, yeah.

Okay. Okay, he's got to be getting close now.

Okay, just keep reeling?

I'm seeing something.

Really? Did you get it? Is it really big?

There we go.

Whoa, I got a fish! I got a fish!

Yes! I got a fish!

That was delicious.

Was that the best meal you ever caught?

Uh, that was the first meal I ever caught,

and probably the best meal I ever ate.

There's one more fish.

No, I'm good, really.

All right.

So, was this as good as the festival of the seven fishes

on Christmas Eve?

Mm, that's close.

But you like that Christmas Eve dinner?

Oh, yeah, it's the best meal of the whole year.

So, what do you do on Christmas day?

You just sleep it off?

No, we get up and open our presents

and then have Christmas dinner.

And you like that, too?

Yes.

Gotcha!

That's two days of Christmas!

Yesterday, you said

you just liked one day, and you were grinchy about that!

That's only one day.

Christmas Eve starts after 7:00,

and Christmas dinner ends before 7:00.

No, that's still two days of Christmas.

That's a 24-hour period.

See, you do like Christmas.

No, only those two days, though.

What about you?

What do you think about Christmas now,

after a couple of days at snow valley?

I don't know.

But I think it's starting to all grow on me.

It's starting to warm up.

You think it's warm enough to snow?

Nah, I don't think so.

I want to see snow fall.

It must be so beautiful.

Where did little miss I-don't-do-winter go?

What happened?

I don't know.

I guess your winter blood came in?

Yes. I guess it did.

Do you like singing Christmas Carols?

Ah, in groups, I'm not too good.

But in the shower on my own?

Oh, I'm phenomenal.

I don't think I know the words

to a single Carol,

at least not all the way through.

My father and I just...

You know there's one person you never speak about.

Your mother.

My mom died when I was six,

and that's when my father...

Disappeared?

He just went into a blue funk, and I didn't see him for days.

Suddenly, I had a nanny, and...

He just buried himself in work.

And when I was nine, I was to boarding school, and...

That's when I decided that I would work with him one day...

So that I would see him.

That must be have been hard.

You deal.

Whoa!

Out of nowhere! I don't think so...

No, no, no, no!

What do you think of that, huh?

Hey!

I should go in.

Yeah... yeah, me too.

I had fun tonight.

So did I.

There you are, Brady.

Christmas lights are out in cabin three,

and I can't leave Carol singing. Can you handle it?

Right now?

No, it's okay.

I, uh...

I'll see you in the morning.

I'm sorry! I'm sorry!

Oh...

I should just watch you.

Oh, sweetie, no, you don't.

You don't get off that easy.

I have waited years for this.

All my sons ever wanted to do

was lick the bowl.

Have you ever thought about having a family?

Oh. No, not really. I'm too busy working, I guess.

Well, when you do, make sure you have a daughter.

"A son is a son till he takes a wife,

a daughter is a daughter for the rest of your life."

Are you going to take over falcon?

If my father will let me.

Tell me something.

Why didn't Brady want to take over snow valley?

Oh, that is a big can of worms to open.

What did he say?

Oh, I didn't ask him.

I figured he would tell me

it had something to do with the seven weeks of Christmas,

but I'm not buying that.

Okay, take that.

That's right.

Add about a third of it to this bowl.

Beautiful, beautiful.

Stir that.

Oh, no, not with that, nope.

We use the spatula.

"Gently is as gently does."

Just the way I showed you. Perfect.

I think beneath all that grinchiness,

Brady really loves Christmas.

He does, doesn't he?

But he won't admit it.

Too darn stubborn, like his father.

Ooh, that needs a couple more minutes.

The short version?

Brady had big plans

about some changes he wanted to make,

whereas Paul thinks

that everything his father and his grandfather did

is cast in stone.

One generation's innovation

is the next one's tradition, is the next one's holy cow.

So they locked horns?

You could say that.

You know, Brady could have just waited until we retired,

and then he could done

whatever he wanted with the place,

but I think he knew that Paul would have felt betrayed.

So instead,

he announced that he's going to join Jack in Australia.

Why didn't he?

Well, the excuses were, first, Paul injured his back,

so Brady said he'd stay until he got better.

Well, it turned out that took four years,

not four months.

Then... I had some problems,

so he stuck around for that...

The truth is,

I think he thought that Paul would come around,

but he didn't.

Now Paul needs to retire,

Brady's still here,

nothing's worked out between them, so...

So, who was right?

Neither of them.

Men aren't good at compromising.

Women are better

at finding the middle ground.

Oh, that brunsli you made should be ready.

Oh.

Here we go you do the honors.

Ah.

Drum roll.

Ooh!

Oh, my.

Oh, they look perfect.

Ah, yay...

You're a natural.

We'll make a cook out of you yet, young lady.

Stephanie!

Are you coming tonight?

Uh, to what?

To the tree lighting.

It's from Switzerland,

and it goes back to the middle ages.

Really? So that's part of my Christmas tradition?

Mm-hmm.

Aunty karla said the becks are from Switzerland.

Do you believe in Christmas?

Why do you ask that?

You didn't come Carol singing, and that's part of Christmas.

Yes.

Yes, I do believe in Christmas.

Ten, nine, eight, seven!

Six, five, four...

Three, two, one!

♪ oh, Christmas tree

♪ oh, Christmas tree!

♪ You stand in verdant beauty ♪

♪ oh, Christmas tree oh, Christmas tree ♪

♪ you stand in verdant beauty

♪ your boughs are green in summer's glow ♪

♪ and do not fade in winter's snow ♪

♪ oh, Christmas tree oh, Christmas tree ♪

♪ you stand in verdant beauty

merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Who wants hot chocolate?

Save me some this time.

You said you couldn't sing.

I don't.

You sing beautifully.

You do, too.

Liar.

Wow.

I just never imagined

there could be so much magic in Christmas.

And every time I dreamed about it,

this is always what I dreamed it should be.

Thank you for sharing it with me.

No, thank you.

I'd lost it.

I couldn't have found it without you.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

♪ Jingle bells, jingle bells

♪ jingle all the way

♪ oh, what fun it is to ride

♪ in a one-horse open sleigh

♪ jingle bells, jingle bells

♪ jingle all the way

♪ oh, what fun it is to ride

♪ in a one-horse open sleigh... ♪

♪ Oh, what fun it is to ride

♪ in a one-horse open sleigh... ♪

Hey, mom! Dad!

Lunch is ready!

Oh...

Ooh!

It's Swiss potato and sausage soup,

with pumpernickel bread.

Oh, this looks...

Mm, smell that.

Delicious.

She made it. I just watched.

Just like yours.

Well, it's karla's recipe.

I have to take this.

Yeah.

Hi, dad.

Hey, I haven't heard from you.

I thought I'd give you a call.

Yeah, I'm sorry.

Have you seen everything, done your research?

Yeah.

What's wrong?

Nothing.

Are you sure?

Yeah, everything's fine.

Okay, good.

Hey, dad, marketing snow valley

isn't the same as marketing the place in cabo.

Obviously...

One's hot, the other's cold...

But that's what we sent you up there to do.

You're the one

who's supposed to be linking those two together

for the falcon brand customer.

You know that if you get this right,

the whole division is yours.

You understand that?

Yeah.

Yeah, dad.

Okay, good.

Well, uh, you'll have your report done

and ready for me tomorrow?

I'll meet you at 9:00 A.M.?

Yes, 9:00 A.M., Christmas Eve.

All right, I'll see you then.

Bye, dad.

I love you, too.

You okay?

That was my father.

I know.

He wants me to give him my report tomorrow.

Are you ready?

I know what I'm supposed to say.

Brady, this isn't about Christmas at snow valley.

It's about how I recommend he makes the changes he wants.

Well, the place needs some improvements.

No, my father is not talking about improvements.

He's talking about bulldozing snow valley to the ground,

and that includes

the snow valley family Christmas.

He doesn't want to keep anything.

He wants to just start from scratch.

That'll break my dad's heart.

Yeah, don't you think I know that?

Well, is everything at falcon always done the way Ted wants?

Always.

It's his company.

Well, isn't there a board of directors,

or someone you can appeal to?

Look, you didn't go against your father.

Don't ask me to go against mine.

How does that song go that you used to sing?

"You don't know what you got till it's gone?"

I was so blinded by trying to do things my own way,

that I stopped seeing that what I really had

was what I'd loved all along.

And now it's too late.

Why couldn't dad just wait a couple more years

just so we could have work things out?

Because he's tired.

He's getting forgetful,

and he needs a rest.

It's been hard work,

running this place for the better part of 40 years.

Well, Ted Beck lied.

He's going to raze this whole place to the ground.

I'm not surprised.

What does Stephanie think?

I don't think she agrees with it,

but what's she going to do about it?

You know, when we were up on Gabriel's point,

she asked me how could I let this place go.

I didn't know the answer in that moment,

but my answer is because

I never had anyone before that I wanted to share it with.

But now I do.

And this whole thing is going to rip dad to pieces.

Why don't you show her this?

It's beautiful.

I did it as my fourth year college project.

Why wouldn't your dad want to do this?

It keeps most of what's here, but builds on it.

That's not the way dad felt,

but he does now.

It's got everything.

The gym, the spa,

the tube run.

A boutique...

Even got our own clothing line.

Snack bar?

My father has to see this.

You're not finished your report?

I haven't even started it.

I can't write what he wants me to write.

I can't let him destroy snow valley.

So we'd better get to work then, hadn't we?

And now end with the map.

Great.

Have you two finished?

We have now.

Well done.

You've got less than a half hour to get freshened up.

Here.

Take that.

Grab that for me.

Yup.

Thank you. Hurry, hurry.

Ready?

Ready as I'll ever be.

We set up the library for you.

Thank you.

He's here.

Right on the button,

as always.

Hi, dad.

You look different.

Yeah, it keeps me warm.

Dad, this is Brady Lewis, Paul Lewis's son.

Merry Christmas, sir.

Yeah.

Ted, nice to see you!

Merry Christmas!

Thank you.

You remember my wife, karla?

Karla.

Welcome, Ted. Merry Christmas.

Here, let me take your coat.

Wow, you folks certainly have this place looking...

Very christmassy.

Thank you.

Can you stay for Christmas Eve dinner?

Oh, I can't, no.

I have some other business in the area.

As a matter of fact...

Oh, you want to get started? Sure.

We reserved the library for you.

Excellent.

Well, if you need anything, just, uh...

Hmm.

Do they always go over the top like this

with their decorations,

or is this in my honor?

No, they do it this way every Christmas.

Well, when we take over, we'll get rid of it.

So, let's get started.

Snow valley lodge

is a successful ongoing business

that enjoys a 100% occupancy rate

from advent to 12th night.

And when exactly is that?

40 days before Christmas

to 12 days after it,

so that includes Thanksgiving.

And 80% weekend occupancy

throughout the rest of the year...

How's she doing?

I don't know, I can't tell.

And so, dad, this is what it will look like.

Who did that?

Brady.

The new snow valley builds on what's here

to attract all the usual falcon clients,

but it also conserves what's here now

to keep its present guests.

I represent both our target markets,

and I like everything that's here.

But above all,

now that I know what it is,

I love Christmas.

And you know what's special

about Christmas here?

It's about the people I've never met

becoming my Christmas family.

And it's not just the lewises, it's all the guests.

I love Christmas decorations, and I...

And I love singing Christmas Carols,

and I love it when they turn on the lights on the tree.

And I want to go on doing these things

every Christmas for the rest of my life.

What we should do at snow valley

is go on giving families the Christmas they love,

and start giving people like me

the Christmas we never knew we wanted

but always dreamed of.

And build on that.

Wonderful.

Fabulous.

And total hogwash.

Falcon is a brand, we have a following.

21-45-year-old dinks.

"Double income, no kids."

You know what Christmas is?

Christmas is a marketing festival

for the toy-makers.

An excuse for the toy stores to have a gigantic monster sale.

Don't you get that?

Falcon people,

our people, our market,

they don't care about Christmas anymore!

Yes, we do.

I care. Brady cares.

And the dinks who are falcon clients now

are going to have children,

and this is exactly the kind of place

they're going to want to bring them.

Remember what you said?

This was "just a mom-and-pop place?"

Well, you're right.

That's exactly what it is, and that's good.

This isn't just

a good business decision,

it's about doing what's right.

Dad, I can't support you tearing down snow valley.

It embodies everything

that's important about Christmas,

which reminds us what's important in life.

Christmas is not just about toys,

and sales,

it's about a rebirth in all of us,

and a gift of love that binds us all together.

Right, but what would you know

about Christmas, and family and love?

Because you never liked any of that since mom died.

Well, I'm glad that, uh, you like it so much.

But that's not

what I sent you here to do.

And since you refuse to do that...

You're fired.

Just drive.

What happened?

He fired me.

What?

My own father fired me.

I'm so sorry.

You know, I'm not.

I did the right thing.

And now we only have one choice.

We have to have the best Christmas

that snow valley ever had.

And it will be.

It'll be one we'll remember for the rest of our lives.

♪ Bring us some fishy pudding ♪

♪ oh, bring us some fishy pudding... ♪

♪ Oh, bring us some fishy pudding! ♪

Ladies and gentlemen, the feast of the seven fishes!

And the 13 desserts!

Buon appetito!

This looks so delicious.

You know what I love about Christmas food?

We only eat it at Christmas.

I think you're right.

Merry Christmas.

Are you expecting anyone, sir?

No. No one.

Dad?

I'm sorry. This is all my fault.

What? You cooked all this?

I thought it was your mother.

You know what I mean.

If I hadn't been such an idiot,

you would never have sold snow valley.

If I hadn't been such an idiot,

I would have listened to you,

and none of this would have ever happened.

If both you hadn't been such complete idiots,

Brady would never have met Stephanie.

Hey.

Aren't we allowed one present from under the tree?

Yeah, just one.

Only one?

Can't we have two?

It's a leap pad ultra! Thanks, mom.

You're welcome, sweetheart.

Cool!

"Dear Santa,

"what I really want for Christmas

"is a real Christmas with my dad,

"like the christmases we had before mom died.

"Since I came to snow valley, I can remember them again.

"I remember dad dressing up as you, Santa.

"His deep, happy "ho-ho-ho."

"But he missed mom so much,

"And it went away.

"So he and I missed out on so much.

"I want my dad to spend Christmas

"here at the lodge with me,

"so we can have the family Christmas

"we now only have in our memories,

and I can have my dad back."

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Has everyone hung up their stockings?

: Yes. Yes, I have!

Good.

All right, find a comfy spot,

gather 'round.

That's it.

Shh...

"'Twas the night before Christmas,

"and all through the house,

"not a creature was stirring,

"not even a mouse.

"The stockings were hung by the chimney with care

"in the hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

"The children were nestled all snug in their beds

"while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads.

"And mom in her kerchief and I in my cap

"had just settled down for a long winter's nap,

"when out on the lawn there arose such a clatter.

"I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

"Away to the wind, I flew like a flash,

tore open the shutters and threw up the sash..."

It's Christmas!

Pere Noel!

Pere Noel was here!

Thank you!

Thank you!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Did Santa come for me, too?

Yes, of course, he did.

Here.

I thought I was just going to get coal, however...

It's got my name on it.

Aw!

Open yours, open yours.

They match.

Go on, put it on.

Aw...

Merry Christmas!

You both look so cute.

Thank you. Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

Ho-ho-ho...

The food and traditions of Christmas

bring us together,

and help us understand its true meaning.

Christmas is a time of tradition and rebirth,

when we get to both enjoy the past

and look forward to the future,

and its main ingredient isn't the place.

That doesn't matter.

It's the people who we surround ourselves with,

who share their traditions with us.

And so, to family

and friends...

Both here and elsewhere,

merry Christmas!

: Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas, dad.

Ho, ho, ho!

Merry Christmas to you all!

My elves told me you deserved some extra gifts!

Mom, it's the real Santa!

I'm sorry I didn't park my sleigh on the roof,

but this is my last call,

and donner and blitzen are just too tired

to fly another step.

First, for the lovely young ladies,

something special for you.

And for you in that lovely dress.

And there you go.

Oh, no, not for you. Oh, maybe.

Okay.

Yes, yes, here's something

you forgot to ask for in your letter,

but I knew you wanted it.

And something for you.

Yes, gifts from the north pole for everyone.

And finally,

the most important gift of all...

To my wonderful daughter, stephie...

My deepest apologies,

that's my gift,

for all the christmases we never had.

Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas, dad.

Thanks for opening my eyes,

I hope it's not too late.

Of course, it's not too late.

Oh, dad.

Oh, baby...

You know, Paul was right.

It's time to retire sooner or later, for everybody,

and I think this is my time.

I've been thinking inside the box.

You helped me realize that, uh,

well, what you did

showed the kind of guts,

strength that it's going to take to run a place like falcon.

So, please,

will you come back

and be the head of our winter resort division?

Hmm? Will you?

Within a couple years,

you could be running the whole company.

Yes.

Thank you.

I have a piece of advice for you right off the bat.

There is somebody that I have in mind

who could be a fabulous manager for the snow valley resort.

Huh?

Oh, my. Oh, my. Thank you.

What do we think?

Well, may I join you?

Yes!

Yes!

Come over here.

You okay?

Yeah.

This was my best Christmas ever.

It's mine, too.

I love you.

I love you, too.

It's snowing!

♪ Oh, the weather outside is frightful ♪

♪ but the fire is so delightful ♪

♪ and since we've no place to go ♪

♪ let it snow, let it snow let it snow ♪

♪ it doesn't show signs of stopping ♪

♪ and I've brought some corn for popping ♪

♪ the lights are turned way down low ♪

♪ let it snow, let it snow let it snow ♪

♪ the fire is slowly dying

♪ and, my dear we're still goodbye-ing ♪

♪ but as long as you love me so ♪

♪ let it snow, let it snow let it snow... ♪