KELLOGG — A cult horror film with deep Silver Valley roots returned to the semi-big screen recently as Shredder celebrated its 25th anniversary with a special screening at Silver Mountain Resort. 

More than 50 people gathered in Noah’s Loft for the event, including four members of the original cast and crew, according to Silver Mountain Marketing Director Gus Colburn. Released in the early 2000s, Shredder has endured as a curious footnote in slasher history and a distinctly local piece of cinematic history. 

“Shredder is a fun piece of Silver Mountain and Silver Valley lore,” Colburn said, noting that viewers can spot familiar landmarks throughout the film, including Kellogg Peak, Wardner Peak, the old Tamarack Lodge and the Shady Lady. 

The low-budget slasher, directed by Greg Huson, centers on a group of snowboarders stalked by a masked killer at an abandoned ski resort. While the film never found mainstream success, its snowy setting and on-location filming have helped it build a modest cult following over the years. 

Producer Rory Veal, who attended the anniversary screening, shared several behind-the-scenes stories that highlighted why Silver Mountain proved to be an ideal, if occasionally challenging, filming location. 

“In regard to how Silver Mountain was chosen for our film location: first and foremost, it had everything we needed and more!” Veal said. 

He further explained that finding a ski area with an abandoned lodge was critical, and Silver Mountain’s limited ski schedule allowed the production to film on the slopes three days a week. Night-skiing runs provided lighting for after-dark scenes, and the resort’s proximity to Kellogg and Spokane helped accommodate cast, crew, and equipment. 

Not everything went as smoothly as finding the perfect location. When the crew first entered the abandoned lodge, Veal said they discovered “the floor was covered in three inches of squirrel s**t.” 

Reportedly, local workers stepped in to clean it up, without charging hazard pay. 

Other mishaps included water shortages that required the installation of 500-gallon storage tanks, shattered windows caused by heat buildup from black spray paint, and a runaway snowmobile that “rocketed down the mountain” before landing on the roof of the machine shop. 

Veal also recalled the crew being allowed to construct a bathroom set on the iconic Shady Lady’s dance floor, something the crew was warned might upset some of the locals. 

“Most importantly, the people of the town were so welcoming and willing to help in any way possible,” Veal said. 

Twenty-five years later, those stories, and the film itself, remain a uniquely local source of pride, laughter, and cinematic nostalgia. 

    Cover art for the film Shredder.