Upamanyu Biswas
Helmed by Jeff Beesley, ‘Snowkissed’ follows a New York journalist named Kate Daniels, who chases after her dream assignment in Lake Louise, Alberta. However, when local B&B owner Noah expresses his desire to be a tour guide, Kate finds herself mentoring him. As they work together, their chemistry develops, leading to a dreamy winterscape narrative brimming with romance, new beginnings, and adventure. The Hallmark film captures its light-hearted, emotional story through a mix of breathtaking snowy locales and warm interiors, which feel cozy even in the middle of winter. Its atmosphere helps enhance the character moments and drama unfolding against the picturesque backdrop of a snowy resort town with a blossoming love story at its heart.
Where Was Snowkissed Filmed?
‘Snowkissed’ was filmed in and around Banff, Alberta, and the province of Manitoba, specifically in Winnipeg and Oakbank. Principal photography for the project began on November 23, 2020, and was wrapped up in December. Both regions are resplendent with scenic locales that were pivotal in authentically bringing the movie to life. They provide an abundance of outdoor locations that are beautifully covered in snow, offering a dreamy backdrop that doubles down on the heartfelt and sentimental romantic themes running through the narrative. Additionally, the interior scenes are memorable for their intricately detailed environments, which provide a break from the winter wonderland outside. Thus, a blend of the two is crucial in maintaining an air of magic for the whole experience.
Banff, Alberta
Filming for ‘Snowkissed’ primarily took place in Banff, a resort situated within Banff National Park in Alberta. The community stands in for the main town featured in the movie. The production crew used the region’s historic buildings and architecture alongside its access to stunning natural attractions as the perfect setting for the film’s central location. Scenes were recorded at the Banff Gondola at 100 Mountain Avenue for some of the outdoor adventure locales. It is a tourist spot where visitors can take a gondola ride up into the mountaintop and witness the grand and majestic views of the surrounding hills and peaks. Another key locale that makes a brief appearance is The Grizzly House restaurant at 207 Banff Avenue. The lodge is known for serving exotic meats like alligator and rattlesnake.
Oakbank, Manitoba
One of the main highlights of ‘Snowkissed’ is the bed and breakfast operated by Noah, Beachwood Bed & Breakfast and Hotel. It hosts numerous pivotal scenes and takes on a life of its own throughout the narrative. The Pineridge Hollow restaurant, situated at 67086 Heatherdale Road 25 East, West Pine Ridge, doubled up as the B&B, offering a seamless and authentic stand-in with a realistic and grounded environment. Located just 15 minutes from Winnipeg, the establishment provided the backdrop for the key location within the story. It also stood in for the Banff Public Market. The main floor of Pineridge Hollow served as Noah’s B&B, while other floors were utilized for different environments in the shop, including the rooms and lobby area.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
‘Snowkissed’ was also shot in Winnipeg, Manitoba’s capital. The city is famously located at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine rivers. It is also graced with ample green spaces, which creates a freshness to its mostly modern and urban aesthetic. Filming took place at the Winnipeg Richardson International Airport at 2000 Wellington Avenue. As the seventh busiest airport in the country, its unique ceiling architecture appears in a scene within the film. The Fort Garry Hotel at 222 Broadway also makes an appearance, standing in for the hotel where Noah takes the group. The city has hosted productions on popular films and shows like ‘Nobody,’ ‘Silent Hill,’ and ‘The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.’
Snowkissed Cast Details
‘Snowkissed’ is headlined by the star performances of Jen Lilley and Chris McNally, who are aided by a host of supporting roles. Both Lilley and McNally are seasoned Hallmark actors, having appeared in over 15 Hallmark productions combined over the years. McNally has also shown his versatility beyond acting, having penned the screenplay of the short film ‘Deadweight.’ Meanwhile, Lilley’s illustrious career has seen her take on countless roles both on the film and television screen.
Jen Lilley as Kate Daniels
Jen Lilley stars as NY journalist Kate Daniels. She is best known for her roles as Theresa Donovan in ‘Days of Our Lives,’ Kate in ‘The Spirit of Christmas,’ and Emma in ‘Paris Christmas Waltz.’ She also plays a supporting role in the French romantic film ‘The Artist,’ which won five awards at the 84th Academy Awards. Lilley can also be seen in ‘Chicago Med,’ ‘Royally Wrapped for Christmas,’ ‘Paris, Wine & Romance,’ and ‘The Wedding Do Over.’
Chris McNally as Noah
‘Altered Carbon’ fame Chris McNally stars as Noah, a B&B owner. He is most noted for playing Ryan in ‘Falling Skies,’ Lucas Bouchard in ‘When Calls the Heart,’ Alan Mayberry in ‘Riverdale,’ and Mr. Waverly in ‘Firefly Lane.’ His other notable credits include ‘Rocky Mountain Christmas,’ ‘Lucifer,’ ‘Supernatural,’ and ‘Holiday Crashers.’
The Hallmark movie also features Amy Groening as Jayne, Rodrigo Beilfuss as Simon, Rachael McLaren as Francine, Michael Cunningham as Saul, Kevin McIntyre as Professor Owen Miller, Onalee Ames as Elsa, and Jay Koensgen as Frederick. Meanwhile, David Sutherland, Mariam Bernstein, Stephanie Sy, Paula Potosky, Heath Vermette, Chelsey Mark, Reena Shah, Jiana Menezes, and Momoko Matsumura appear in minor roles.
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