The ski world is a state of shock this week, as tragic news filtered out of La Grave that one of the true icons of freeskiing, Doug Coombs had fallen to his death in a couloir above the fabled extreme resort.

Treacherous hidden ice patch may have been reponsible
Original reports suggested that a small slab slide may have taken Coombs and a friend over the edge.

Updated news from Telemark Tips changes the story slightly. They report that Doug Coombs was skiing at the end of the day with three friends. The group was descending a very steep couloir (possibly Couloir de Polichinelle) in the Freaux sector.

One of the four, Chad Vanderham, a La Grave regular from Colorado, began skiing down, while Coombs and the others watched from above. He apparently hit a patch with an ice layer underneath and fell in what was described as a definite "no-fall" zone. The Coloradoan reportedly washed over a cliff and disappeared from view.

Coombs may have fallen trying to initiate rescue assessment
At this point the details become sketchy, according to Telemark Tips. Coombs is said to have wanted to get a rope in order to check on his fallen friend's condition. While assessing the situation, Coombs also fell. Both men went over what was reported to be an approximately 200m cliff. The remaining two skiers in the party then called for a heli rescue.

When the helicopter arrived some 20 to 30 minutes later, Doug Coombs was already dead. The victim from Colorado was still breathing, but unfortunately died later in the hospital.

True pioneer of skiing
Coombs was one of the true pioneers of Extreme Skiing. Originally from Montana, he found his ski legs in legendary backcountry stomping ground of Jackson Hole. After becoming a heli-ski guide in Wyoming, he was crowned World Extreme Champion in 1991 in Valdez, Alaska. His experiences there led him to return to set up Valdez Heli-Ski Guides with his wife Emily, an operation that became one of the catalysts for the rapid progression of what became the freeskiing scene.

Coombs famous for his sense of fun
Not only was he renowned as one of the greatest skiers on the planet, he was also known for never losing his sense of joy and wonder at riding the mountains. His Doug Coombs Steep Skiing Camps were renowned worldwide for their host's ability to bring the very best out of his clients both on and off the slopes.

His propensity for fun was infamous and infectious and he will leave behind a legion of devoted clients, fans and friends, as well as his wife Emily and son, David Douglas. Our thoughts are with them at this time. A fund for Coombs' family has been set up by Jackson Hole friend, David Gonzlaes

The "Clark Kent of skiing"
Once called the "Clark Kent of skiing" by Skiing Mag, the unassuming-looking Doug Coombs thrived in situations that would turn mere skiing or boarding mortals to gibbering wrecks. As Gonzales commented "this was a guy who skied 'no-fall' zone at least 100 days a year". His contribution to the world of skiing is huge, but Natives' favourite statistic, that seems to sum up Doug Coombs philiosophy of life, is that his personal tally of first descents in Alaska was greater than the combined totals of all the other riders who'd bagged a new route put together.

The ski world will certainly mourn his loss and miss his impact on the sport.

[Natives comment:
Inherent risk that can strike at even the very best
Again it serves to bring home the random chance that is integral when undertaking extremely dangerous activities. Coombs was a master of his art, a safe and responsible rider, who not only understood, but carefully evaluated and fully respected the risks he was taking. Yet he was still aware of the possibility of that risk materialising and the consequences if they did. The avalanche risk was low at the time, but low does not mean none. Again sometimes things just happen.

Once you know the risks, you can live with them
With heavy snowfall hitting many of the alpine resorts at the moment, take a moment to look at your own appreciation of the risks you are taking. Do you know and understand the dangers you are facing and are you willing to live or die with the consequences? Be warned, be sensible, be conservative, but most of all be aware! ]

[Source: Natives]