Cameras roll as Canadian skier falls 500m down rock face
Digital Reporter
Wednesday, November 11, 2015, 11:48 AM - It's what nightmares are made of. Video showing a skier plummet skis over goggles is hard to watch, but it's even more difficult to look away.
The footage was captured while experienced Canadian skier Ian McIntosh was attempting a daring ski stunt on a snow-capped slope in Alaska this past April.
The 24 year old fell into an unseen five-foot-deep trench on one of his very first turns -- and proceeded to tumble nearly 500 metres down the mountainside.
The camera records McIntosh's seemingly endless tumble down the mountain, part of Alaska's Neacoloa range.
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At one point he attempts to regain his footing, but in the process loses a ski and continues his long descent.
After he falls a staggering distance of about 1,600 feet in less than a minute, McIntosh comes to a hard stop. Equipped with a camera and microphone, he can be heard shouting “I'm ok! I'm ok!”
To the surprise of onlookers and himself, McIntosh was able to walk away from the fall with only minor injuries. He credits the use of an airbag with saving his life and preventing more traumatic injuries to his body.
The stunt was filmed as part of the the film 'Paradise Waits,' produced by action sports company Teton Gravity Research. Co-founder Todd Jones said the incident "was the most terrifying crash I've ever seen."
The company released it on their YouTube channel on November 5. It has since been viewed nearly 500,000 times.
According to his Twitter profile, McIntosh is a professional skier who also partakes in base jumping.
Source: YouTube
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