Skier seriously injured, tumbling 2k during descent of Skywalker Couloir

[BColo]

Wishing the best for his recovery from this fall.

Daily Camera Boulder article, no paywall (at this time).

https://www.dailycamera.com/2024/06/17/ ... r-couloir/

[Jorts]

Bummer. I've never skied there but powder project says the top is around 55 deg and a no fall zone.

2024-06-18_09-31-25.jpg (27.8 KiB) Viewed 18215 times

https://www.powderproject.com/trail/700 ... er-couloir

[slawrence2011]

I skied down after, and saw his ski blades half way up the couloir before realizing what was going on, hopefully someone can return. Amazing how quickly the response mobilized, and the amount of rescuers, both from the TH and by air. Wishing all the best for a fast recovery.

[gb]

I skied down after, and saw his ski blades half way up the couloir before realizing what was going on, hopefully someone can return. Amazing how quickly the response mobilized, and the amount of rescuers, both from the TH and by air. Wishing all the best for a fast recovery.

"ski blades"?? As in super short skis? On Skywalker?

[Bill G]

Ski blades and 55 degrees? That pretty much a recipe for disaster. Glad he got rescued.

[Jorts]

Ski blading’s reputation precedes it. These folks rescued from the coin slot on mt Royal also had on ski blades.

https://www.summitdaily.com/news/crime/ ... onditions/

[slawrence2011]

I bought some because I found that my skis are too long for Crestone needle, but after a test day on the blades at Breck, I can't commit to take them on extreme skiing. You loose so much margin for error when conditions are the slightest bit different than expected on a jump turn.

[Jorts]

I bought some because I found that my skis are too long for Crestone needle, but after a test day on the blades at Breck, I can't commit to take them on extreme skiing. You loose so much margin for error when conditions are the slightest bit different than expected on a jump turn.

I'm not sure I understand. Are your regular winter/powder skis already short? If not, instead of jumping from midwinter midfat skis (presumably between your neck and your head in length) to unstable ski blades, why not get a pair of shorter couloir skis that are 10 to 20cm shorter than your regular skis and a little bit skinnier? That allows for more maneuverability on steep slopes without sacrificing all stability.

[BillMiddlebrook]

None of this makes sense. No one would be dumb enough to use ski blades on a no-fall line like that.

[alexhenes]

Kids these days have become so reckless. Snow blades on Skywalker, SwissBobs on Lackawanna https://www.merelyafleshwound.com/mount ... wanna-msm/.

Seems like somebody's mother needs to tell them to stop being so irresponsible and start thinking about their families and loved ones before attempting these suicidal stunts. don't understand why they cant be satisfied with their gameboys and facebook accounts

oh wait... Cody Townsend does it... I guess we are all good then

https://gearjunkie.com/winter/skiing/co ... er-couloir

I for one am stoked to see folks doing new things in the mountains and keeping it fresh and fun. Stay safe out there everyone!

Super bummed someone got hurt and incredibly thankful for SAR and other first responders.

[slawrence2011]

I bought some because I found that my skis are too long for Crestone needle, but after a test day on the blades at Breck, I can't commit to take them on extreme skiing. You loose so much margin for error when conditions are the slightest bit different than expected on a jump turn.

I'm not sure I understand. Are your regular winter/powder skis already short? If not, instead of jumping from midwinter midfat skis (presumably between your neck and your head in length) to unstable ski blades, why not get a pair of shorter couloir skis that are 10 to 20cm shorter than your regular skis and a little bit skinnier? That allows for more maneuverability on steep slopes without sacrificing all stability.

So I have several sets of skis I use for spring 14er/13er skiing. The ones I had on that day were some of my longer, probably around 180s, but not ones I use in the resorts in winter. Thanks for this suggestion, I had found a Company that made specialty ski blades that were kind of a mid-length between normal ski blades (K2 Fatties) and normal skis, which they said could be possible for couloirs (one 106 cm, the other 118 cm), but they cost around $600 without any bindings (summitskiboards.com). So I decided to get the K2 Fatties to test the water (~2ft long) before committing to the expensive ones. And glad I did, I think I will take your recommendation and try to get like 150 cm skis if I attempt the Needle again. And apologies to detract from this severe situation with this lighter discussion, I seriously wish all the best for recovery, and hope others can learn from this like I am if they think of ski blades as a reasonable way to help with the narrow couloirs.

[gb]

^^ I don't get it. I've skied the Needle a couple of times on 180-185cm skis and I certainly never wanted them shorter. It isn't that skinny of a couloir. It would be terrifying on 150cm skis.

Honestly I think a lot of people are on skis that are too short for them. A friend of mine who is 6'6" had been skiing 170-175 skis and someone finally convinced him to get 190's this season. It was night and day, he's skiing so much better.