Xavier de le Rue (whom I refer to as the best big mountain snowboarder on Earth) tries to take as few chances as possible in the mountains. When I interviewed him this fall he told me that avalanches are his biggest fear when he’s out riding in the big mountains:
“Unstable snow pack is what scares the shit out of me the most and it can be on any kind of terrain. Funny to see some people thought I was crazy to ride the ice chute, considering this is one of the few sessions of the season I felt wasn’t scary.”
This video is likely a large part of why Xavier has his fear of Avalanches. Xavier gets buried for 10 minutes, his helmet choking him, his body unable to move, and his mouth full of snow.
There is nothing more scary in skiing than being in an avalanche. These Airbag style packs aren’t a bad idea to have out there.
xavier avalanche
wow
Hectic! That is one lucky S.O.B.
Every movie I have ever seen with Xavier in it, he talks about his one fear is Avalanches. I am surprised he was out there and that he hit both those convex rollers the way he did, but am happy he is alive.
This is a great reminder, especially since this has already been a fatal year due to avalanches to keep an eye out for The Red Flags and to remember that if a slope isn’t safe to ride, it will be some day. Ride Safe, Ride another day.