Ice Castles 1978

Alexis “Lexie” Winston, portrayed by Lynn-Holly Johnson, is a determined sixteen-year-old from Waverly, Iowa, with aspirations of becoming a champion figure skater. Her boyfriend, Nick Peterson, played by Robby Benson, harbors dreams of a future in hockey. Under the guidance of family friend and former skater Beulah Smith, brought to life by Colleen Dewhurst, Lexie defies her father’s wishes and enters a regional championship. It is here that she catches the eye of a prestigious coach, Jennifer Warren, who recognizes her immense potential despite her late start in serious training and relatively advanced age for the sport.

Against her father’s objections, Lexie makes the pivotal move from her small town in Iowa to the renowned Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to further her training. However, her rise to prominence is not without its challenges, as she finds herself at odds with her fellow female skaters, who envy the spotlight that shines on her due to her natural talent and the media attention surrounding her coach’s efforts to promote her. As Lexie hones her skills, she qualifies for the senior championship level, experiencing a dramatic transformation that affects all aspects of her life. Her newfound stardom leads her to drift away from Nick, and she begins a relationship with much older television broadcaster Brian Dockett, played by David Huffman.

As Lexie grapples with the pressures of fame, she feels a growing discomfort with the trajectory of her life. One fateful night, she leaves a skating sponsor’s party and heads to a nearby outdoor rink to skate alone. Her coach and the guests observe her through the windows as she attempts a challenging triple jump. Tragically, Lexie lands off the ice upon a cluster of tables and chairs, sustaining a severe head injury that clouds her vision with only lights and blurry shapes. The doctor is unsure if her condition will improve, casting a shadow over her future.

Feeling abandoned by the fairweather friends who once surrounded her, Lexie retreats into solitude. Her estrangement from Nick deepens, but he pushes her to reclaim her passion for skating and break free from her depression. Together, with the support of her father, Tom Skerritt, and Beulah, Lexie gradually rebuilds her belief in herself despite her significant challenges. With her vision impaired, she learns to navigate the ice by focusing on the boards surrounding the rink.

Lexie ultimately decides to compete in the sectional championship once more, presenting a stunning and flawless performance that earns an enthusiastic standing ovation from the audience. However, her disability becomes painfully apparent when she trips over roses thrown onto the ice by adoring fans and falls. In a poignant moment, Nick rushes to her side and remarks, > “We forgot about the flowers,” highlighting the crowd’s realization that although Lexie may have not fully recovered from her injuries, she has risen above her circumstances with incredible resilience.