Free Skier Avalanche footage

[mainemike]

So they're filming for a car commercial and this skier sets off an avalanche. He happens to be wearing a new inflatable safety device and survives a biggie. Pretty cool!

[Saab2000]

I'm not even close to good enough to attempt skiing like that, but my brother-in-law is. Every year when I was in Switzerland the news of another death was reported due to an avalanche. Pretty much weekly. This is amazing footage.

[stnphoto]

Almost looks like he meant to ride it. It happens quickly here so maybe he didn't have the chance, but most big mountain skiers will ski toward a side of the slide when they realize it is happening, whereas he just turns his skis downhill. These skiers know you can't outrun an avalanche. In any event that bag technology is very cool.

[AJPM44]

That reminds me of the time at Waterville Valley that the chairlift stopped when I was going by a snowgun.

[vertical_doug]

Salomon Free Ski TV is back.
Can ballers do a helitrip?

[Tomwd3]

Salomon Free Ski TV is back.
Can ballers do a helitrip?

Just watched that yesterday. Insane pillow drops. Dream trip.
Not sure about Mica's costs, but I know you can do early or late season heli trops at CMH for around 5-6K for 4 days.
Doesn't include cost of getting to Kelowna, BC.

[Tomwd3]

Almost looks like he meant to ride it. It happens quickly here so maybe he didn't have the chance, but most big mountain skiers will ski toward a side of the slide when they realize it is happening, whereas he just turns his skis downhill. These skiers know you can't outrun an avalanche. In any event that bag technology is very cool.

It looks like he caused the initial fracture and he's right in the middle of it. 2 seconds later there's another big break to his right. Looks like he's trying to get out of the chute and off to the left but there's a rock band and he gets overrun before he can break left.

That ABS bag probably saved him and that's a good thing of course. Naturally it's better to avoid unstable routes whenever possible. I know that in the backcountry community there's a great deal of concern about the new ABS systems providing a false sense of security for folks who may not have done all of the traditional safety training.

[stnphoto]

Just read this. Looks like I'm not the only one with doubts about the footage. It just doesn't look right.

Op-Ed: Calling Bullsh!t | POWDER Magazine

[curtisvill]

Just watched that yesterday. Insane pillow drops. Dream trip.
Not sure about Mica's costs, but I know you can do early or late season heli trops at CMH for around 5-6K for 4 days.
Doesn't include cost of getting to Kelowna, BC.

Having been on several CMH trips all I can say it is worth the money, and the terrain is similar to the Salomon video if that is what you are looking for.

John

[Tomwd3]

Having been on several CMH trips all I can say it is worth the money, and the terrain is similar to the Salomon video if that is what you are looking for.

John

That just looks so totally amazing....after 1 trip I'd have to strongly consider a career change. Perhaps bank robbery.
It might be heresy around here, but I'd hold off on any new bikes or bike trips to make this happen.

Was there a particular month that you'd recommend? Any lodge?

Tom

[climbgdh]

Air bags are the way to go....... but even better is good decision making in the hills. I can't make any recommendations for heli operations since I only do backcountry touring. Typically 50 days in the backcountry every year for the last 10-12 years. Highly recommend Icefall Lodge outside Golden BC. I've skier all over BC and have also skied for several weeks in AK. The terrain at Icefall is incredible, including one of the runs which is 7200 vertical feet. Even the biggest runs at CMH, Wiegele, etc can't compare to that. Course you have to bust your a$$ rather than sit in a chopper. ;-))

[curtisvill]

That just looks so totally amazing....after 1 trip I'd have to strongly consider a career change. Perhaps bank robbery.
It might be heresy around here, but I'd hold off on any new bikes or bike trips to make this happen.

Was there a particular month that you'd recommend? Any lodge?

Tom

The only thing I enjoy more than skiing, is being a father. I love cycling but skiing is my true joy.

I have been early season and late and have had fabulous snow on all occasions. I do not think there is a bad time to go. Late season you get to ski more on the glaciers and it stays light later so hill days on the can be longer.

I have been to several lodges and they all have their own unique character and serve different terrain. The Monashees lodge has been my favorite to this point but I am set to go to the Adaments this year in early January so that may change.

I can talk about this till I am blue in the face, so as not to bore the fine folks at the salon, if you want more information shoot me a PM and I will happily give more. Heli skiing was on the top of my bucket list 8 years ago and I took my first trip to CMH, it has now become an annual pilgrimage.

John

[Toddykins]

I have been to a bunch of operations - Mica was one of my favorites, along with Bella Coola and Northern Escape.

A few things I would do to maximize my potential for a good trip

1. Go in the spring when the snow/avalanche conditions are apt to be better.
2. Pick somewhere that is running only a couple of groups off of a small helicopter (a-star or similar), so you can access better landing zones and run quicker laps. In general this will be more expensive.
3. Go with enough buddies to fill a group so you know you are compatible skiers or sign up for a 'camp' or something similar that is marketed to advanced skiers.
4. Don't go expecting to ski lines like you see in the videos - even if you get the right combination of permissive guides (they will probably think you are bit nuts for asking - but you could try asking for someone who has worked with the film crews), stable snow conditions and capable fellow guests in all likelihood you are not going to be taken on crazy exposed stuff, particularly on your first time out with a given operator.
5. Don't be bothered about places advertising longer vertical runs than another. Do you really expect to hit good snow conditions over an entire 6000ft run. Hint - no.
6. Be in decent shape.

[jackattack]

I'm new to this forum, looking to buy into the custom bike world and there is a ton of good info around on vsalon. I've been a skier even longer than I've loved bikes (since age 3.)

Just read this. Looks like I'm not the only one with doubts about the footage. It just doesn't look right.

Op-Ed: Calling Bullsh!t | POWDER Magazine

Avalanche footage looks 'legit' the bummer is that they turned it into a viral marketing campaign for ABS. Too many unprepared/uneducated adrenaline junkies head out on skis, boards, and snow machines every winter assuming they're safe with their ABS or Avalung. The truth is, too many avalanche fatalities result from trauma and not asphyxiation alone. Some of the best prepared, most educated backcountry users I know have lost their lives when they don't read the conditions correctly. These are devastating tragedies and the ski industry needs to take the high moral road of declaring the inherent risks of skiing while promoting the unbelievable fun at the same time.

Just watched that yesterday. Insane pillow drops. Dream trip.
Not sure about Mica's costs, but I know you can do early or late season heli trops at CMH for around 5-6K for 4 days.
Doesn't include cost of getting to Kelowna, BC.

Insane pillow drops...

Zack Giffen killin the craziest plillow line I have ever - tannerhall420 @ Instagram Web Interface - 5th village

[Tomwd3]

Insane pillow drops...

Zack Giffen killin the craziest plillow line I have ever - tannerhall420 @ Instagram Web Interface - 5th village[/QUOTE]


The POV shot really gives you a sense of the drop. Wow!
I can't even imagine getting yourself to the point where that seems
like a good idea.