Winter in Vail (2020 TV Movie) User Reviews

A Rewarding Romance

[atlasmb · 8/10 · 13 January 2021]

When a hard-working L.A. event planner unexpectedly inherits a chalet in Vail, she reevaluates her life, quits her job, and moves to the resort town. Lacey Chabert plays Chelsea---who suddenly uproots her life---with her usual charm. She meets Owen (Tyler Hynes) there. He's a soft-spoken contractor who lives by Vail's more relaxed pace. Together they attempt to revive a portion of Vail and the restaurant run by Owen's father.

Though its story line is mostly about following one's dreams, the film's romance is its most captivating aspect, thanks in large part to the appeal of Tyler Hynes. His portrayal of Owen feels genuine. This is not a film about wooing; their relationship grows organically from their mutual respect and their recognition of each other's caring nature.

The self-fulfillment theme also works without simplifying the hard decisions that can accompany a choice between life goals and passion. This is one of the better Hallmark romances.

Winter in Vail

[studioAT · 7/10 · 5 March 2021]

Lacey Chabert is my Queen of Hallmark and I think Tyler Hynes is one of the best male leads these films have, so to see them paired together excited me from the off.

This was a fab Hallmark film, with some lovely messages and moments. The two leads have good chemistry, making for an enjoyable 80+ minutes overall.

Winter in Vail

[JoBloTheMovieCritic · 6/10 · 12 January 2020]

6/10 - a Hallmark Christmas movie without the Christmas remains sweet and simple

good start to 2020

[kauling · 7/10 · 7 January 2020]

I'm always skeptical when watching a Lacey Chabert movie, entirely too much giggling & broad smiles for my liking. I agree with a previous reviewer, she toned that down for this role. The actors were in sync and the script was not bad. Good movie to kick off 2020.

Lacey Chabert saves a cliche fest.

[rightisright · 6/10 · 15 March 2020]

It's the old should I go back to my city job or stay in this delightful small town. The male lead is basically a cardboard cutout. Somebody wake him up? I believe that most of the "Vail" scenery is actually Calgary, but it's still pretty. Lacey Chabert is, as always, stunning and full of delightful energy.

"It's like a dream... It's not real"

[Jackbv123 · 6/10 · 7 January 2020]

If you are adverse to plot holes, lack of reality, goofs and so forth, then this is probably not your movie. This movie really tried my patience on those fronts. So think of it as a fantasy, a dream world, then there's room to enjoy this movie.

When the story, the sets, the production values aren't top notch, then look at the lead actors and the relationship they portray. Lacey Chabert and Tyler Hynes do a nice job together, and the movie throws them together for a lot of screen time to develop that relationship. Even so, I still wouldn't rate this movie as one of my favorites, but not that bad either.

Also on the positive side, like many Hallmark movies, the scenery is gorgeous at so many times throughout the movie.

Love, love, love Lacey and Tyler!

[cmather-22369 · 10/10 · 12 April 2020]

I so love the chemistry between Lacey and Tyler! Their bantering was fun! Tyler's wit and half smile is disarming! I have been a Lacey fan for a long time and she delivers wonderfully in this movie. I am a new Tyler Hynes fan and I find myself searching for one of his movies, I have watched them all multiple times! Please write another movie for him to star in soon! This movie had a great story, loveable characters all around and cute dialog!

It was cute! But

[Luvhallmark · 7/10 · 8 February 2020]

I enjoyed the movie and yes people.....I know it's Hallmark (I do in fact luv Hallmark) but it offered very little in originality. Struggling restaurant/village, someone who should've been given a promotion was overlooked, handsome "single" guy who happens to be an architect but does handyman stuff and beautiful chalet left to niece by her uncle whom she hadn't seen in years because she was too busy working. I wish Hallmark didn't use the such similar scripts over and over again while only changing the leads. And what's with the kiss, why does it have to always happen in the very last scene, does Hallmark think we're going to change the channel or something. Cmon HM, you've got to do better than this. I rated it a 7 for the gorgeous scenic views in Canada, and of course TH is a very good actor and so is LC, I thought they had decent chemistry.

One of Hallmark's Best!

[bbbarth · 9/10 · 11 January 2020]

Really enjoyed the acting-wasn't "sappy-sweet" or "high-school-playish" like a lot of Hallmark movies. The actors were all believable, the story-line held my interest, and the photography was beautiful.

Cute story ...

[toncincin · 7/10 · 6 January 2020]

Lacey Chabert and Tyler Hynes were good together. It was a cute story - just the location was off! First of all, most of it was filmed in the Calgary area - not Vail, CO. And does anyone REALLY believe that Vail Village needs help? Has anyone ever been there during ski season OR during the summer? Vail Village is just fine. No need to "revitalize" it OR bring more people there. Instead of using an already established resort town, Hallmark might want to make a town up (like they did with Garrison, AK in Christmas Under Wraps.. yes - the fictitious restaurant could still need help. Just don't use an already existing bustling resort town!

Tyler Hynes is Robin Williams

[texasfolk · 9/10 · 14 January 2020]

Ok. It's a Hallmark movie. Girl meets obnoxious boy. Boy melts her heart. Someone has died. You know the ropes. But is it worth the watch? Yeppers. Lacey is always the Hallmark princess. Tyler ab libs many of his lines and true to form they're gems. Good story. Great scenery. Three best things. Lacey and Tyler aren't actors saying lines. They ARE the characters. You don't hit the fast forward on the remote - except commercials. Third, it's a Penny Perry casted movie. She puts the magic together. Great job Hallmark.

Cookie cutter story

[phd_travel · 6/10 · 11 January 2020]

The good thing is they film on location in Vail. Since it is like an advertisement for Vail that makes sense. The strudel thing is a little boring. The big dilemma here is whether or not to give up LA for Vail which isn't too small a town at least.

Vail scenery is pretty

[avakay-98287 · 5/10 · 12 January 2020]

Typical Hallmark fare with happy ending. I watched to see the snow and Vail.

Winter fun

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 17 February 2022]

Lacey Chabert has always struck me as very watchable and can understand why she is a Hallmark favourite, though will agree that it was time that she toned things down a bit. Tyler Hynes is likewise worth watching more often than not, despite not all his films being good (same with Chabert). Was not sure about whether 'Winter in Vail' would be good or not, due to not caring for most of the 2020 Winterfest films and finding 2020 a very variable year for Hallmark (especially the Christmas output).

'Winter in Vail' however surprised me in a pleasant way. It is not great, only a small handful of Hallmark films in 2020 were nearly that, or flawless (none of Hallmark's output in 2020 or any other year are). 'Winter in Vail' does though succeed more than it fails, despite being very predictable and cliche ridden it does benefit from the leads, their chemistry, the scenery and that it was fun. As far as the 2020 Winterfest films go, this gets my vote as the best.

As said, 'Winter in Vail' is imperfect. There is absolutely no doubt how everything is going to map out or end, the Winterfest films are quite samey structurally and 'Winter in Vail' follows the formulaic structure to the letter pretty much. Making it predictable too many times, especially in the final third, and pretty much all the standard Hallmark cliches are here.

Did think too that Hynes' character could have had more development, had no problem with Hynes' performance but his character was pretty one dimensional and one doesn't learn a huge amount about him that is illuminating, we know the basic bones but not an awful lot more. The ending is too easy and could have taken its time more.

However, a lot is good. A big selling point being the leads. Hynes has a lovely easy going charm and great comic timing, while Chabert gives one of her more subtle Hallmark performances without dulling her personality down too much, she's also quite amusing. The two of them have great chemistry together, the only chemistry of the 2020 Winterfest films to be more than above average. Just loved how playful yet also sympathetic it was. The supporting cast are solid. While the characters are far from complex, they were ones worth caring for.

It is a good looking film visually, regardless of the lack of authenticity/accuracy the scenery is gorgeous and taken full advantage of in the photography. The music has been known to be overdone and intrusive in Hallmark, it is pleasantly festive here. The script is playfully light-hearted and has a good deal of heart without being sentimental. The story is far from perfect, but it was clear what it was trying to do and wanted to be and it is very charmingly cute and heart-warming.

Overall, nice film. 7/10.

Best of Lacey Chabert

[chiltonsjillfreeport · 7/10 · 5 January 2020]

I always want to turn Lacey Chabert down a few notches, so this was a first. She seemed human, instead of the windup Hallmark over-chirpy version.

It let her meet co-star Tyler Hynes in the middle, so they had some chemistry.

What this movie really needed was some time outdoors.

It had that claustrophobic feel of just a few indoor sets. No skiing or outdoor sports. It made me miss mountain time, but never really showed it.

Not bad

[cujorocky · 6/10 · 14 January 2022]

Lacey is good in everything, but I read where a critic says she giggles not stop in every movie. Omg he is right. She giggles constantly throughout her films. Like nonstop giggles. Wow must be her acting crutch like Brad Pitt eating in every movie or DiCaprio smoking in every scene. But they must have said the word "strudel" 75 times in this movie. It got soooo annoying!!

Classic Hallmark

[happyjack-29558 · 10/10 · 5 January 2020]

What a way to kick off Winterfest! The chemistry between Lacey and Tyler was believable and sweet. The storyline, perfect. It was a great movie to settle in with on a cold winter's night.

Better than most

[teebear817 · 7/10 · 12 February 2021]

This was a pleasant movie for a change. Still, as usual, it was filmed in Canada with Canadian actors, pretending to be America. Always wondered how Canada feels about all these movies Hallmark makes up there while pretending to be America. Guess they dont care, counting all the money America and our actors miss out of. It had hood hunor, but OMG. If i heard the word "strudel" one more time, i would scream. Like half way thru, they said Strudel maybe 25 times. How many times they said it yhe whole movie is anyones guess. Oh was that irritating!! But overall, unusually good.

Almost 10!

[adeloris · 9/10 · 3 January 2021]

Great movie, Tyler was funny and Lacey was great! I would have given it a 10, but when they left that telescope outside to get covered in snow I had to take off a star!

Winter in Canada

[MickyG333 · 7/10 · 24 January 2023]

7.2 stars.

Is Hallmark a Canadian company? Nope. So why do they hire so many Canadians, and shoot most of the footage in Canada? I don't know, and I researched it, and found out that several board members are Canadian, or something like that. But it's all conjecture. It's probably because they've established many filming locations in Canada already, have paid for the permits, and so why change now? If it aint broke...

Onto this movie... It's cookie cutter, but entertaining too. I like Hynes, he's funny, unassumingly cocky, and charming. He might seem like a robot in this, but I guarantee it's by design, he's a good actor in my opinion. The chemistry is present, the scenery is beautiful, the rest is average.

I will comment about my feelings toward Lacey Chabert (which I always do, because I'm not assuming that you've read my other reviews). I approximate that about 90% of people love her as a lead actress. I'm guessing that most of that 90% are females, because Hallmark Channel caters primarily to females. Women enjoy watching Chabert, but men also like her, but she does not have any special appeal for me. I'm usually with the majority when it comes to women I find attractive and captivating. In this case I am an outlier. Ok, that's good to know, it helps me to learn a bit more about myself. Why is Chabert not my type? Is it something about her style, or personality on screen, or her looks, a combination of some or all aspects? Does she remind me of someone that broke my heart? I can safely say no to the last question. I've never dated a woman remotely like her. I've always dated very driven and spunky women. I've never been attracted to her type and I don't know why. I want to love you, Lacey! I just don't and I feel bad about it.

End of psycho-analysis. Is what it is. If you like Chabert you will probably LOVE this film. If not, the film is average.

10 for the chemistry!

[alar62 · 10/10 · 8 January 2020]

Seen alot of Hallmark movies and what makes Winter in Vail different from the rest is the chemistry between the two lead actors. The scenes between Lacey Chabert and Tyler Hynes seem more ad-libbed than scripted and I enjoyed that playfulness between them. Not every Hallmark movie have characters/actors that really click-in this one they do and I hope they do a sequel.

Cute but dull

[deedee0 · 6/10 · 15 July 2022]

Chelsea was so unemotional and serious. I'm not sure if this was Lacey's decision or she was instructed to present the character that way. Cute story and Tyler did a great job but there wasn't much magic with the lead actress.

SoSo Hallmark fair

[cspratt-30083 · 2/10 · 16 January 2022]

First of all, never leave a telescope outside to be covered in snow.

Why does every Hallmark production filmed in Canada have to relocate the actual filming location to the U. S.? Is Hallmark lacking belief in their viewing audience. Some stories could be enhanced by using them in an actual "foreign place".

Standard Hallmark Fare

[herrcarter-92161 · 6/10 · 27 September 2023]

With the fairly high IMDb rating of 7.0, I thought this movie might be something special. But it was really just a standard Hallmark movie, without a lot of surprises. The plot is certainly well-worn. Workaholic woman escapes the big city and her high-stress job to enjoy a slower-paced life among friendly, caring people in a small town. And she ends up spearheading a festival that will save something (a struggling restaurant and the older section of a resort town, in this case). Oh, and there's also romance in the wings with a handsome, charming local from that town, who she initially gets off on the wrong foot with, but whom she ends up clicking with in the end. There's literally nothing we haven't seen before in countless other Hallmark romances.

The leads, who are Hallmark veterans, give good performances, as usual. Lacey Chabert is, cute, warm and engaging, as always. Tyler Hynes, gives a decent performance, but nothing special. I didn't like how the writers make him overly jerky when he and Lacey first met, chiding her over illegal parking. They always seem to want the eventual couple to be combatants in the beginning, but the initial combativeness usually seems contrived, and this was no exception.

There wasn't anything majorly wrong with this movie. It was the sweet, feel-good movie that we all expect from Hallmark. But it was also pretty innocuous. Dull might actually be a better description. We know that Karl's restaurant is in jeopardy, but we somehow don't sense the urgency. We know that the Strudelfest will magically solve all their problems, so there's no dramatic tension. Also, the romance between Chelsea and Owen felt kind of flat to me. I wasn't feeling the chemistry very much. I think the writers were trying to make Chelsea an independent woman whose decision to move to Vail wasn't influenced by a man. But that made it feel like the romance was just shoehorned into the plot, and I didn't feel the passion.

So, if you're expecting the typical Hallmark romance, set in a beautiful location, you will be happy with this movie. But don't expect it to be anything out of the ordinary.

Loved this movie

[tara-352-975358 · 10/10 · 6 January 2022]

I absolutely love Lacey Chabert and she didn't disappoint in this one. There is good chemistry between her and Tyler Hines. The story line is cute. The acting is good and believable. I'll be purchasing this one on DVD for my collection.