Billy Poole Died While Filming

One of the top extreme skiers, Billy Poole died while filming a jump near the the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon Tuesday. Billy Poole was known for his long jumps. He started skiing up in the cold mountains of Montana but had lately spent time in Alta in Utah. Poole became an extreme skiing star by mixing up powerful big-mountain style with very smooth moves and turns. He was leading the modern wave of progressive freeskiing. The 28-year-old Poole was sponsored by Salt Lake City-based Black Diamond Equipment Ltd., maker of ski and climbing gear.

Billy Poole was filming with a crew when the accident happened. Billy jumped off a cliff and hit rocks while landing. He was taken to hospital in extremely critical condition about 12:30 p.m. A hospital spokesman confirmed he died at 1:30 p.m.

Billy Poole’s accident happened in the backcountry between Brighton and Solitude Ski resorts from where Poole was taken to hospital by helicopter. Poole was the first person to jump over the telephone wires at Cardiff Pass.

As you see in the video below, Billy Poole took skiing to the far extreme. (The video is not related to the tragedy). Billy knew the risks, but now the sad thing happened. Extreme skiing can be dangerous and risky, even though top skiers practice years and are well prepared. Death is part of this sport. Many top extreme skiers, such as Doug Coombs and Trevor Petersen, have died in the mountains. Now also Billy Poole.

Image source: BigLines.Com

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Marko Pyhajarvi

I am an old-school alpine skier, snowboarder and telemarker, and I love writing. Therefore I founded Homeboy. I (too) enjoy powder, mountaineering and backcountry skiing as well as photographing. Nowadays, as an old fart, I mostly ski with my kids and focus on financing their hobbies.

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