RIP Shane McConkey

Ski hero Shane McConkey died today in Italy after what is reported to be a ski BASE accident.

Shane was probably the greatest innovator and influence in the sport of skiing in the past 20 years or so. Shane is responsible for coining the term “freeskiing” (after the term “extreme” started to be used to sell tacos and everything else under the sun). Shane started the International Freeskiing Association (IFSA), the governing body for ski events other than racing and moguls. Shane helped develop the Volant Spatula, the first ski that was both reverse sidecut and reverse camber. Shane was one of the developers of the sport of ski BASEing, where skiers ski lines to impossibly huge cliffs, throw a parachute, and land safely back on the ground.

I’m not sure if I can use the word “hero” to describe anyone that I look up to in the world of skiing. Shane McConkey comes closest to that word, though—hero. We lost a legend today. RIP.

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Frank Konsella

Frank loves snow more than anything... except his wife.  He ensures his food is digested properly by chewing it 32 times before swallowing.He is a full-time real estate agent serving Crested Butte and Gunnison and would be honored to send you his monthly newsletter.

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