The headmaster, Professor Carmichael, portrayed by Hume Cronyn introduces a US Army officer at school assembly, as a member of the "United States Ski Force." The US Army has never had a "United States Ski Force," however, during World War II, the United States Army 10th Mountain Division was specifically established and trained for ski combat, the only division-sized element of the U.S. Army to specialize in fighting under harsh terrain and weather conditions, the division retains the "mountain" designation for historical purposes but is actually organized as a light infantry division. The 10th Mountain was deployed to Italy during World War II, and was deactivated as a unit shortly after the war, until being reactivated in 1985.
Production finished one day under schedule at 28 shooting days.