You always think it will never happen to you despite knowing the high probability that it most certainly eventually will. It is every skiers’ worst nightmare, even worse than the threat of Non-Crystaline Precipitation or a drought of powder. In a long enough time line, the odds eventually catch up to us all and sideline us mid-season with a skiing related injury. It is the risk we take by participating in the sport, especially those of us that push our limits beyond the relatively safe and open slopes of most ski areas. A risk I have always considered worth while to obtain epic powder turns found on fantastically challenging terrain. And I still do.

Jay Peak had been slammed with early season snow that had been mostly deposited in the woods. I found myself with two skiing partners skiing roped off tree runs on the fateful afternoon of Saturday December 10, 2005. Despite being roped, the allure of a foot and a half of fresh powder covering a decent base had many skiers breaking the rules for fresh turns, myself and my companions included. We scored epic turns in Timbuktu, Kitz Woods, and finally in the Beaver Pond area, where tragedy was to strike.

A companion and I were staying skiers right in Beaver Pond Glades where we suddenly found ourselves on an exit route towards the main trail. Wanting more powder turns in the glades, we scoped out a pair of slots through the trees. Our other partner had managed to stay more left and was already well below our location. My partner made it through his slot without problem but my attempt would not be as fortunate. I made two quick turns on packed snow before my skis sunk down in unexpected deep powder. The binding of my right ski released and my weight was thrown forward. My weight carried me through the air where I lost complete control, my trajectory was straight down the fall line into a waiting tree two feet in diameter and appearing mighty solid. My last thoughts included “get the head out of the way” and “this is going to hurt.” Both thoughts were well warranted.

(more…)

You always think it will never happen to you despite knowing the high probability that it most certainly eventually will. It is every skiers’ worst nightmare, even worse than the threat of Non-Crystaline Precipitation or a drought of powder. In a long enough time line, the odds eventually catch up to us all and sideline us mid-season with a skiing related injury. It is the risk we take by participating in the sport, especially those of us that push our limits beyond the relatively safe and open slopes of most ski areas. A risk I have always considered worth while to obtain epic powder turns found on fantastically challenging terrain. And I still do.

Jay Peak had been slammed with early season snow that had been mostly deposited in the woods. I found myself with two skiing partners skiing roped off tree runs on the fateful afternoon of Saturday December 10, 2005. Despite being roped, the allure of a foot and a half of fresh powder covering a decent base had many skiers breaking the rules for fresh turns, myself and my companions included. We scored epic turns in Timbuktu, Kitz Woods, and finally in the Beaver Pond area, where tragedy was to strike.

A companion and I were staying skiers right in Beaver Pond Glades where we suddenly found ourselves on an exit route towards the main trail. Wanting more powder turns in the glades, we scoped out a pair of slots through the trees. Our other partner had managed to stay more left and was already well below our location. My partner made it through his slot without problem but my attempt would not be as fortunate. I made two quick turns on packed snow before my skis sunk down in unexpected deep powder. The binding of my right ski released and my weight was thrown forward. My weight carried me through the air where I lost complete control, my trajectory was straight down the fall line into a waiting tree two feet in diameter and appearing mighty solid. My last thoughts included “get the head out of the way” and “this is going to hurt.” Both thoughts were well warranted.

(more…)