All adventure sports come with a risk, and skiing is one of them. Often, skiers get hit by an unexpected avalanche. Recently, a group of skiers had the one-in-a-million opportunity to get a proper view of a massive avalanche rolling down a hill as they watched from a close distance. They were able to record this moment in a video that later went viral. The incident took place at La Clusaz, a ski resort in France. In the video, the skiers are heard talking with surprise and awe as the whole swathe of snow rolls down the hill in seconds. The thundering sound of the avalanche can also be heard in the background.
A popular Instagram account shared this video and wrote, “They had the perfect view!” In the comments, many people wondered how the skiers sounded more excited than terrified. An Instagram user commented, “They’re laughing but they could be next.” Another person wrote, “I wouldn’t be sticking around lol because your side may be next.”
An Instagram user described the avalanche as, “Like dusting sugar falling off a dry sponge cake.” Someone suggested that maybe the skiers took this video from an observation deck which gave them a clear view but also kept them at a safe distance. Making this point, an Instagram user wrote, “No one is next… Video is not over there, they are standing on the Observation deck of the lift top station.”
Last year in February, skier Owen Leeper, shared a video in which he was struck by an avalanche while skiing in Teton County, USA. Luckily, Leeper was able to escape the avalanche after he bounced over a rock and was tossed on the side, away from the avalanche. This prevented him from sliding down the mountain and getting buried in the snow and avalanche debris. Leeper dislocated his shoulder and got minor injuries, but he was able to reach his fellow skier and subsequently got help from the non-profit Teton County Search & Rescue who brought him to emergency care as Leeper was unable to ski back.
Leeper’s avalanche survival was captured on his Go-Pro camera attached to his helmet. He shared this clip on Instagram. In a long caption, he recalled the whole incident and wrote, “Every day in the mountains is risky, there isn’t one day of the season where the avalanche danger is “none.” Every backcountry skier understands the risks. The important thing is to minimize risks where possible, but you can’t remove all risks while pursuing extreme skiing. I feel very lucky I made it out with minor injuries. I will definitely think about this crash every time I’m out.”
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