Snowbound: The Jim and Jennifer Stolpa Story

Plot

Snowbound is based on a true story. Jim and Jennifer Stolpa and their infant son Clayton are 500 miles from their home in Castro Valley, California, when they lose their way and are stranded in an endless wilderness of deep snow in northern Nevada, east of Cedarville, California. They battle for survival against the elements when Jim Stolpa drives too far down a snow-covered road and gets stuck during a snowstorm. Using only meager supplies and resourcefulness, the young couple struggles to keep themselves and their son alive in a frozen shelter while awaiting rescue. Realizing they will not be found and out of supplies, Jim ultimately strikes out on a courageous 50-mile walk through the snow alone, determined to reach help and return to save his loved ones before they die.

Cast (in credits order)

Other versions of the story

Jim and Jennifer's story was also used as the plot for the "Lost in the Snow" episode of I Shouldn't Be Alive. The episode originally aired November 3, 2005, and featured Les Stroud analyzing the Stolpas' actions and showing the viewers how to be better prepared for such a situation.

The ordeal was the subject of the first episode of the third season of the ABC documentary series In an Instant titled "Whiteout" which first aired on June 2017.