Extreme skiing
Encyclopedia
Extreme skiing is skiing
performed on long, steep (typically from 45 to 60+ degrees, or grades of 100 to 170 percent) slopes in dangerous terrain. The sport is performed off-piste
.
The French coined the term 'Le Ski Extreme' in the 1970s. The first practitioners include Swiss skier Sylvain Saudan
, who invented the "windshield wiper" turn in the mid-1960s and in 1967 made the first descents of slopes in the Swiss, French and Italian Alps that were previously considered impossible. Saudan's 'first descent' in America was at Mt. Hood March 3, 1971. Early American practitioners include Bill Briggs
, who descended Grand Teton
on June 16, 1971. The Frenchmen Patrick Vallençant
and Anselme Baud were among those who further developed the art and brought notoriety to the sport in the 1970s and 1980s.
Extreme skiing as an English term has changed since the 80s when the term "extreme skiing" was coined to now be classified under Big Mountain skiing and/or Freeskiing
which encompasses all aspects and methods of descending off-piste terrain. The key North American skiers who popularized the sport include: Doug Coombs
, Shane McConkey
, Seth Morrison
, Glen Plake
, David Kraft and Scot Schmidt
, all known as "The extreme-6" and were considered among the top 6 extreme skiers in the world during their prime.
Because of the extremely long, steep slopes, and dangerous terrain, single mistakes at the wrong moment by some extreme skiers have led them to their deaths.
Skiing
Skiing is a recreational activity using skis as equipment for traveling over snow. Skis are used in conjunction with boots that connect to the ski with use of a binding....
performed on long, steep (typically from 45 to 60+ degrees, or grades of 100 to 170 percent) slopes in dangerous terrain. The sport is performed off-piste
Backcountry skiing
Backcountry skiing is skiing in a sparsely inhabited rural region over ungroomed and unmarked slopes or pistes, including skiing in unmarked or unpatrolled areas either within the ski resort's boundaries or in the backcountry, frequently amongst trees , usually in pursuit of fresh fallen powder...
.
The French coined the term 'Le Ski Extreme' in the 1970s. The first practitioners include Swiss skier Sylvain Saudan
Sylvain Saudan
Sylvain Saudan is an extreme skier, dubbed "skier of the impossible." He is noted for skiing down large and steep mountains, including those in the Himalayas. In 2007 he survived a helicopter crash in Kashmir....
, who invented the "windshield wiper" turn in the mid-1960s and in 1967 made the first descents of slopes in the Swiss, French and Italian Alps that were previously considered impossible. Saudan's 'first descent' in America was at Mt. Hood March 3, 1971. Early American practitioners include Bill Briggs
Bill Briggs
Bill Briggs is the director of the Great American Ski School at Snow King Mountain in Jackson, Wyoming in the United States. Briggs, born in Maine, is notable as the first to ski the Grand Teton on June 15, 1971 and as a result is said to be the father of extreme skiing in North America.His route...
, who descended Grand Teton
Grand Teton
Grand Teton is the highest mountain in Wyoming's Grand Teton National Park, and a classic destination in American mountaineering.- Geography :...
on June 16, 1971. The Frenchmen Patrick Vallençant
Patrick Vallencant
Patrick Vallençant was a French alpinist/skier and pioneer in ski mountaineering.He was a pioneer in ski mountaineering and leader of the French school of ski mountaineers. His motto was: "si tu tombes, tu meurs", translated as "you fall, you die"...
and Anselme Baud were among those who further developed the art and brought notoriety to the sport in the 1970s and 1980s.
Extreme skiing as an English term has changed since the 80s when the term "extreme skiing" was coined to now be classified under Big Mountain skiing and/or Freeskiing
Freeskiing
Freeskiing or Newschool skiing involves tricks, jumps, and terrain park features, such as rails, boxes, jibs, or other obstacles. This form of skiing resulted from a combination of the growth in popularity of snowboarding as well as the progression of Freestyle skiing...
which encompasses all aspects and methods of descending off-piste terrain. The key North American skiers who popularized the sport include: Doug Coombs
Doug Coombs
Doug Coombs was an American alpine skier and mountaineer who helped to pioneer the sport of extreme skiing, both in North America and worldwide.- Biography :...
, Shane McConkey
Shane McConkey
Shane McConkey was a professional skier. He was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, and was based in Squaw Valley, California. He won numerous awards and competitions. McConkey started as a competitive ski racer, but moved on to be featured in a long line of extreme skiing movies...
, Seth Morrison
Seth Morrison
Seth Morrison of Summit County, CO is a professional skier. He has won numerous competitions and appears in many ski movies. He was born in Murray, Kentucky. Morrison has survived avalanches, a helicopter crash, and miles of vertical on huge Alaskan faces. He is the oldest member of the K2 Factory...
, Glen Plake
Glen Plake
Glen Plake is an American Freestyle skier. Born in Livermore, California, he grew up in Lake Tahoe, skiing Heavenly Valley. He is known for his appearances in ski films such as Greg Stump's The Blizzard of Aahhhs, and for his trademark Mohawk hairstyle, often dyed blonde, purple or blue. Plake was...
, David Kraft and Scot Schmidt
Scot Schmidt
Scot Schmidt is was the first ever professional extreme skier. His extraordinary talent has helped shape today’s ski industry, and has inspired many skiers. Scot started skiing professionally in 1983 in Squaw Valley...
, all known as "The extreme-6" and were considered among the top 6 extreme skiers in the world during their prime.
Because of the extremely long, steep slopes, and dangerous terrain, single mistakes at the wrong moment by some extreme skiers have led them to their deaths.