Mike Frankovich of Columbia Pictures saw A Swingin' Summer (1965) and told producer Reno Carell he would distribute a follow-up using that film's stars, James Stacy and William Wellman, Jr. The film was shot under the title A Swingin' Winter and used females under contract to Columbia. It was shot in Heavenly Valley on Lake Tahoe, and in the Eldorado National Forest.[5][6]
The film was profitable for Columbia but not significantly so and the beach party cycle soon came to an end.[8]
Variety called it "a disappointing teenpic despite some occasional comic touches, good ski-country lensing, and talent glimmers among the younger players. Script doesn't take off until half-time, too late. Tunes and terp scenes flag what little pace exists. Reno Carell production is not up to standards of his earlier A Swingin’ Summer and seems destined for lowercase Columbia release in youth situations."[9]
Filmink said "This is a bright, energetic film with an unfortunate comic Chinese cook, decent ski footage and a wedding at the end."[10]
In August 1965 it was announced Stacy and Wellman would star in Fort Bikini for Carell but the film was not made.[11]