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2009, by Ski Waheenie

Shane McConkey died ski-base jumping in Italy today. According to an article written by Steve Casimiro from TheAdventureLife.org,

"Shane did a double backflip and then had some difficulty," said Gaffney. He uses these old-school Tyrolia bindings, which release upwards, and they have straps attached that he pulls on to release the skis. So he pulls the bindings, the skis release, and then he flies away in the wingsuit.

"He got one ski off, but then was fighting to get the other one off. In the whole process, he went upside down and had one ski above him, which caused him to spiral. And then he got into a high-speed spin. He was still fighting to get out all the way down. J.T. watched the footage again because he wanted to know what happened. It was hard to see, so this is speculation, but it looked like he was going for his pilot chute. Maybe he couldn't get to it—he'd complained before that the wingsuit was tight. But we don't know for sure."

Shane McConkey skiing STEEP terrain

Our condolences to all of his family and friends, including his wife and 3 year old daughter.

Shane was truly an icon- starring in extreme ski movies throughout the past 15 years and pushing the sport to new levels.

Shane McConkey on the cover of Freeskier Magazine

Here is a list of ski films that he appeared in:

    * Claim (2008)
    * Seven Sunny Days (2007)
    * Steep (2007)
    * Push (2006)
    * Focused - Season One (2005)
    * The Hit List (2005)
    * Warren Miller's Higher Ground (2005)
    * Yearbook (2004)
    * Ski Movie III: The Front Line (2002)
    * Ski Movie 2: High Society (2001)
    * Ski Movie (2000)
    * There's Something About McConkey (2000)
    * Sick Sense
    * Walls of Freedom (1995?)
    * Immersion (unknown)

Shane McConkey

Just as much as he was an icon, Shane McConkey was an inventor. He was one of the first people to combine skiing and base jumping, which is now known as Ski-BASE and is a common site in ski films. He is also known as the father of reverse camber skis, inventing the Volant Spatula and the K2 Pontoon.

I will always consider him a hero, as he was directly involved in the trend toward skiers using big fat skis. And fat skis, as we all know, make us all better than we actually are. Making people better than they are is a legacy that anyone should be proud of. So thank you Shane McConkey. Thank you for risking everything to push the sport of skiing and make lives better.

The comments below have generated considerable debate. In response, we are publishing your essays on risk throughout the summer. Please contribute to this conversation by submitting your own essay to shannon@skiingthebackcountry.com. If your essay gets published, we might just have some gear to throw your way...

Another Talk With Bruce Tremper

High Times at Low Tide

That's Our Opinion. What's Yours?

Justin wrote on 03/26/09 at 8:15:32 pm pst:

RIP to an incredible athlete.

Rick Armstrong wrote on 03/26/09 at 9:22:16 pm pst:

One of the true legends of skiing. Stacked with humor, personality and talent, encompassing a humble, non-assuming, down to earth guy. He is already missed but will never be forgotten. Peace and Love to his family.

powderjunky wrote on 03/26/09 at 9:35:05 pm pst:

Thoughts and prayers with him and his family and friends.

Tyler P wrote on 03/26/09 at 10:26:07 pm pst:

Didn't know the guy but I sure do enjoy skiing with 120 underfoot. It's also a bonus whenever ski flicks spotlight Ski-BASE jumpers. RIP Shane McConkey.

Bob Hendrickson wrote on 03/27/09 at 07:52:08 am pst:

His passion and influence on the sport of skiing will always be felt. Prays and best wishes to his family and close friends.

Erik B. Knutsen wrote on 03/27/09 at 08:56:06 am pst:

warm thoughts going out to his family, from fans in Norway. Truly a loss for us all.

Chris Wheeler wrote on 03/27/09 at 10:27:30 am pst:

Shane was a true pioneer in the ski world and is missed but will not be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. Ski on!!

John Goodie wrote on 03/27/09 at 10:28:08 am pst:

What an incredible athlete. May he rest in peace.

pdx32 wrote on 03/27/09 at 11:30:39 am pst:

RIP Shane. This cuts deep in the world of freeskiing and especially in the Truckee/Squaw area, where Shane lived and dominated the mountain and was generally known as an all around good dude. I didn't know Shane personally, but was always pumped to "run into" him atop the Palisades on epic mornings and see some of the crazy/calculated stuff he would do. He was truly an inspiration for all in the freeskiing community and beyond, and especially for this starry eyed east coaster.
Long live Saucerboy.

Robert wrote on 03/27/09 at 12:35:19 am pst:

Thoughts and prayers to his family and his friends and to a man who lived his passions and left a legacy.

Jennifer Morandi wrote on 03/27/09 at 2:38:04 pm pst:

A real life super hero is gone. From his huck doll to "Something About McConkey" to the "Claim" we've enjoyed the ride he's taken us on. "Some revere him as a god..." and I am certainly one of those. Mad love to his family and friends. And to his daughter, your daddy is a hero. Thanks for the inspiration. Rock on Saucerboy.

Tom Green wrote on 03/27/09 at 2:45:37 pm pst:

I am sorry to hear about this accident,, my heart goes out to his family,, Every time I ski McConkies at Whistler I will think of you Shane,,, it is our job, the living, to keep Shane's spirit alive by letting a small part of Shane live on in each of us.. we will never fortget you....

Telstar Logistics wrote on 03/27/09 at 3:05:33 pm pst:

So devastatingly sad. Like many, I think of Shane every time I put my fat boards on my feet, and I thank him for rescuing us from those silly thin skis we were all deluded into thinking were effective.

But even more personally, I rode up a lift with him last year at Squaw, with his (then) 2 year-old daughter, who he was taking out for a ski lesson. I decided to play it cool -- I never let on that I knew who he was. Instead, we talked spoke as fathers; I have a little girl who's just a few months younger than his, so we compared notes on how to teach kids how to ski.

At the top of the lift, he asked me to take a photo of the two of them on his iPhone. (Shane being Shane, the glass on the front of the phone was cracked.) Then I watched the most inspiring skier I've ever known as he skied down a bunny hill, in a snowplow, with his daughter tucked between his legs.

Of all the amazing runs he's taken, that's the one I'll always remember most.

Fracturelines wrote on 03/27/09 at 8:34:32 pm pst:

What would McConkey do?

Dave Hutton wrote on 03/27/09 at 9:37:43 pm pst:

Shane was a great skier and a treat to watch.My heart breaks for his family.My prayers are with them.

Deepak wrote on 03/28/09 at 02:25:43 am pst:

Sad to see the demise of an Icon. The kind of news that you wish you never hear but know can come anytime. True pioneer. He lived doing what he liked most.

Master RedyVa wrote on 03/28/09 at 06:28:37 am pst:

Requiescat in pace.

Herbie J wrote on 03/28/09 at 07:16:29 am pst:

This is so very tragic. I am trying to wonder why the parachute didn't open up properly. What a sad ending; however, Shane's legacy lives on. When destiny knocks at our day, we have to be ready. Our prayers and support go out to his family. Who knows? His daughter might just grow up to become even a greater skier/ base jumper than daddy was. You never can tell. I guess we'll have to wait and see. It's all in the blood, trust me !!

Herb J.

goby - slovenia wrote on 03/28/09 at 07:55:06 am pst:

We will all miss you DudeManBro. RIP Shane

Joe Calhoun wrote on 03/28/09 at 09:15:40 am pst:

I am devastated. I celebrated my 50th ski season last year. Fifteen years were spent as a ski instructor; another seven as a race coach.

Shane added excitement, imagination,and style to my sport. And a whole new generation of fine winter athletes. I feel he re-defined the sport with "Something About McConkey" in 2000. For example. skiis became twin-tipped to handle the jumping-backwards tricks. He didn't push the envelope: he exploded it.

But in 2005 (at the age of 55), while trying to emulate his big-mountain ways, I was buried in an avalanche at Stevens Pass, Wa. A friend rescued me immediately, but it caused me to take a long, sober look at the risks within skiing. And how much more dangerous the out-of bounds activity made the sport.

Forgive me, everyone, but I speak as a person with a lifetime commitment to the sport, and as an athlete who held a profound respect for Shane McConkey. We need to play the safe percentages of this dangerous sport, or the obvious consequences may occur.

Rest in Peace, Shane. You have inspired us, lead us, and faced down our fears for us. Six injuries in ten seasons may have been whispering to you that perhaps you were pushing things too far. Go easy, go far, Shane.

Mike Olson wrote on 03/28/09 at 12:53:57 am pst:

A tragic and early end to a person who is responsible for creating an environment for people to explore and accomplish things they could have never imagined. I never met Shane but wish I had as my life as a ski guide has been greatly improved due to his vision for the sport. Peace and love to his friends and family....

johannes wrote on 03/28/09 at 7:39:59 pm pst:

There are two kinds of pilots: old pilots and bold pilots.

After watching some vids of his stunts, all I can think of is that he left behind a young daughter.

This man is no hero.

Smulders-Joseph Family wrote on 03/29/09 at 04:57:33 am pst:

This is on behalf of Shane's family-in-law in South Africa.

It amazes us on how many people have so many great things to say about Shane.

Even though it was only for a few years we would like to thank Shane for the joy he brought into Sherry and Ayla's lives. It was enough love and joy to last them their whole life times.

From what I can tell, Shane is regarded as the "Wayne Gretsky" of the ski world.

Thanks to all of you for the fantastic support and kind words. It is words like this that Sherry and Ayla will be be able to cherish and remember for the rest of their lives.

Rest in peace Shane.

Appaulled reader wrote on 03/29/09 at 05:06:30 am pst:

After reading through some of these negative entries taking subtle digs at what Shane did with his life I am appaulled that some of you can be so rude and heartless.

Shane was not only one of the greatest sportsmen, he was a pioneer and a HERO to many youngsters.

I give all of you this to think about:

"All men die, some never live"

Shane lived in a big way, that is what he DID. He has left a legacy that will inspire so many in the future and his family can be proud to be his kin.
Most parents live to a ripe old age and leave no legacy.

Bobby Maronick wrote on 03/29/09 at 06:46:50 am pst:

May you rest in peace or in the air whichever your heart desires. I think we know which one. God Bless you and your wonderful family. You will be missed emensly.

freeheelgirl wrote on 03/29/09 at 09:26:08 am pst:

I have to agree with Joe and Johannes - Shane had incredible talent, and was obviously committed to his sports and expanded the boundaries of extreme skiing....but. Pushing the envelope and taking huge risks involves putting your life and health in jeopardy, and he paid the price for it. I'm disappointed that a man with a small child to raise would be so selfish that he wouldn't scale back just a little bit to stay safe. I don't huck off cliffs like he did, but I did spend a long time learning to (safely!) jump out of planes for a living. To have so many variables in one stunt (huck cliff, ditch skis, glide with squirrel suit, pull chute, have a backup chute) was begging for at least another huge, potentially-career-ending injury, if not a fatality.
Did I mention that I'm now a nurse who works with traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries? I get to see what happens to people who take foolish risks and lose, and there's a lot of them out there. It ain't pretty. We glorify athletes who have million-dollar endorsements and take huge 'risks' with teams of paramedics and helicopters hovering nearby, but I get disgusted these days with a culture that idealizes a blatant disregard for life and limb. Shane would have gotten a lot of attention the FIRST year he became a quadraplegic, but what would his life have looked like afterwards, huh? Who's going to be a daddy to his daughter now? How will his family get through the grief?

Was it worth it?

My heart goes out to Shane's loved ones, and to all the people who will lose someone to death or injury....

Travis wrote on 03/29/09 at 10:01:51 am pst:

I am not sure why some people think you have to do crazy things to "truly live". Truly living to me is finding happiness in whatever it is that you are doing in the present moment.

Anyway Shane did contribute to our sport quite at bit at his own risk. For that I am thankful and wish his family and friends the best. But like freeheelgirl hinted at, it was really only a matter of time.

G12 wrote on 03/29/09 at 10:40:45 am pst:

So sad. Beautiful post, Telstar Logistics (wrote on 03/27/09 at 3:05:33 pm pst).

Peace, happiness and wonderful memories to his wife and daughter.

Fanis wrote on 03/29/09 at 2:10:53 pm pst:

Guys, Shane has gone but will never be forgotten. He passed while he was doing what he loved. Lucky guy living a life at the edge, taking the risks, inventing adventure, i hope others will follow because what is life without adventure.

Shane i wish that you 'll find the endless powder where you go and enough gravity to enjoy...love and respect to the family.

Sebas wrote on 03/29/09 at 4:28:51 pm pst:

If we could make a comic based on skiing, superman has just died.

lorenzo wrote on 03/31/09 at 03:59:43 am pst:

I never have met Shane personally, but he was one of my friends on facebook. When i wanted to buy my Pontoon I tryed to contact him for some advice. I wasn't expect any repley from a star like he was.. i was wrong, he wrote me back with great tips and wrote me back again to check if I was satisfay with mw skis!!!
Great guy, great person , great Hero. We will miss him a lot

LifeLongSkier wrote on 04/05/09 at 06:19:07 am pst:

There is an unresolvable conflict when it comes to high risk activities. On the one hand they are thrilling, offer pleasure not only the participant but spectator alike. On the other hand, the downside is unimaginably horrible. Shane is a good example, he leaves behind a wife and 3-year old. I do not know if his parents are still alive, but if they are, they face the most horrible of fates - the death of a child.

As my father once said before I was about to start a long road trip. If I were to die in a car accident, it would be over for me in a moment. On the other hand, for my family, the pain would last for a very long time.

Each person has to address the risks he faces. When I got married I gave up hang gliding because the risks were to great. (A friend of mine was subsequently killed hang gliding.) Others make different decisions. Which is the right answer? Who knows...

Adam wrote on 04/06/09 at 3:47:00 pm pst:

Freeheel seems to forget that innovation comes with great risk. Edison may have electrocuted himself many times in the quest for incandescent lighting. The pioneers of skydiving, a sport of in which Freeheel admits to indulge, assumed great risk (so freeheel could so selfrighteously claim none). Joe just got scared and now faults those who can do what he will not. Johannes is not worth acknowledging. A great inspiration has died. Adreneline Rock will miss its big daddy.

A Father wrote on 04/06/09 at 9:48:43 pm pst:

Actually:
FreeheelGirl nailed it: he could have scaled-back; this was no 'innovation' stunt; this was just 'pushing the envelope'.

Which is fine, great, & more power to you who do it... just consider who you leave behind. Even if he had a paid-up $Million accidental death policy, I'm betting his 3yo daughter would trade it all to have him there, snowplowing w/ her on bunny slopes again.

I'm betting Adam isn't a dad; or if he is, & pulls risky stunts, hope he at least has a huge insurance policy.

PS: historically? Edison had *others* do all his "10,000 tries" for a working incandescent element, done by *hired lackeys*. He was *notorious* for avoiding risk...

freeheelgirl wrote on 04/07/09 at 7:21:46 pm pst:

Actually, Adam, I've never skydived - I was a Forest Service smokejumper for several years, and I never claimed that I didn't take great risks. I just took risks that I was rigorously trained for, and that were evaluated on a case-by-case basis for risk/benefit. We definitely turned down some jumps and some fire assignments....the potential for death or injury of any member of our team was a valid reason to call off an assignment, or at least approach it differently.

Calling Shane McConkey a hero is insane...he was a great athlete, certainly, and a laudable innovator, but a hero is someone who saves lives, or helps others, or raises his own child.

Again, it is totally regrettable and sad that he lost his life, but it's also his own fault. He undboubtedly knew the risks, and made the decision to do it anyway....for what? Money, fame, adrenaline, experience, "pushing the envelope"? I ask - was it worth it?

Joe isn't faulting others for taking risks - he's just way more aware of the consequences of what he's doing since he got buried, and probably hopes to heck that no one else has to go through that. The voice of experience... denigrate him if you like, but he's worth listening to.

oj wrote on 04/09/09 at 07:31:15 am pst:

Such a sad day ;( , you were my skiing hero and will always be remembered.

RIP Shane

Dave wrote on 04/09/09 at 11:54:53 am pst:

You said it oj :(

miah wrote on 04/10/09 at 2:23:02 pm pst:

to those of you who scoff at a man for truly living. didn't he leave his daughter a great gift in fulling committing to a dream and a lifestyle? didn't he in his own way pave the way for brilliance by simply asking what if?

Shane was an innovator, an inspiration and will be sorely missed by millions he never even knew - can you naysayers say the same? thank you shane for showing the greater possibility of living. to your wife and daughter - i'm so sorry for your loss. i'm certain words cannot express your grief. may peace find you.

i'm a father

Dave wrote on 04/10/09 at 4:08:55 pm pst:

I loved shane very much as a hero, but to respond to miah,

Truly Living is a very subjective thing and to tell some they are not truly living unless they are pushing the envelope is a little unfair.

Lots of people will argue one way or another and it is really an individual thing not one for other people to judge.

The most important thing is to be happy in the moment no matter what you are doing, that is truly living.

And i think there is no doubt shane was happy doing what he did.

Shane Erickson wrote on 04/20/09 at 7:56:22 pm pst:

McConkey was my hero.

anne wrote on 06/02/09 at 11:19:22 am pst:

Yes, he was amazing...but he left a daughter without a daddy.. that is not a legacy, that is a tragedy... For all of you who want to have a family, don't do it.. your kids need YOU, not the legacy..

Will wrote on 01/01/12 at 10:09:46 am pst:

everybody cut the bullsh!t.
Shane was amazing. he was a hero to soo many.
If u dont appreciate him go away

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