You can find just about anything nowadays with the click of a button, including people’s stupidest moments.
Recently, a skier’s less-than-bright moment was caught in high-definition at the Lake Louise Ski Resort.
The 17-year-old athlete posted the clip to his Instagram.
The post has exploded in popularity and gone viral with almost 26 million views!
In the short video, the skier–Ivan Jones from Idaho–takes to the air off a natural jump.
Halfway through a flip, Jones clips an empty ski lift chair heading down the mountain.
Ouch! It hurts to watch.
In the video, Jones falls into the snow below as onlookers gasp at the sight. Aside from some bruises, Jones skied away from the potentially brutal crash unharmed.
Stick to Designated Terrain.
The ski resort, however, was not happy with Jones’ antics and took the opportunity to remind skiers that there are terrain parks on site where they can practice trick skiing.
“It’s certainly something that the resort doesn’t condone in any way, shape or form,” Dan Markham, the Lake Louise Ski Resort’s Communications Director, told CTV News.
Terrain parks are meant for skiers looking to practice their jumps and tricks in a safe environment without the risk of crashing into a ski lift.
The Lake Louise Ski Resort has four terrain parks with 11 jumps, 14 boxes, and 22 rails, and Jones still chose to perform a jump away from the designated areas.
Jones was set to compete in a mountain competition the following day but decided to cancel. His botched stunt is a reminder to stay safe on the slopes.
Safety First!
Safe skiing involves wearing gear that fits, reading and following all posted signs and warnings, and picking runs that are right for your ability, among other things.
Unfortunately, many skiers do not prioritize safety as they should.
Last year, a man from Nelson, British Columbia, got caught in an avalanche at the Castle Mountain Resort after skiing outside the resort’s boundaries.
By a miracle, the man got cell phone service, which is uncommon at the resort, and called 911.
A rescue team was dispatched but didn’t reach the man until the evening. The rescue group made shelter and camped on the mountain until they could safely airlift in the morning.
Other skiers aren’t as lucky. Last April, three skiers were buried by an avalanche in a closed area of the Lake Louise Ski Resort.
Two skiers were caught in the slide, but only one was partially buried and survived. The other, a 21-year-old man from Red Deer, was completely buried by the avalanche and died.
The mountains are just as dangerous as they are beautiful. A large, fully developed avalanche can weigh a million tonnes and travel faster than 320 kilometres per hour.
Ski hills control the risk of avalanches with explosives and other measures, but everything outside of a resort’s boundaries is uncontrolled.
Acting recklessly on the slopes is never worth risking your life or the lives of others. It simply isn’t worth it, whether for 15 of internet fame or the adrenaline rush of doing something you shouldn’t.
Jones’ stunt may seem harmless and comedic, but it could have ended in a tragedy that would weigh on his family, friends, and the Lake Louise Ski Resort forever.
