How Extreme Skiing Works

In the beginning, any steep downhill skiing was extreme skiing. Since then, extreme skiing has mutated from its origins as a steep-slope run into a variety of hair-raising winter adventures:

Extreme skiing pioneers continue inventing new types and hybrid forms of extreme skiing and show no signs of stopping. But you can't drop thousands of snowy vertical feet each day without a little technique, and we'll talk about that next.

You don't want to engage in any extreme skiing until you've mastered the standard version. Advance slowly, and don't get impatient -- you have to have a comfort level before you can push yourself out of it. Skills like being able to make tight swing turns and linking turns (basically zig-zagging your way down) should be second nature to you. Become proficient at skiing on slush, deep powder and debris. If you've got your eye on a big jump, start out with very small jumps and take your time working your way (and your nerve) up to the task.

As with any kind of extreme skiing, the learning curve for off-piste (off-trail) stunts and tricks is steep -- there isn't much in the way of a practice backflip, for instance. You're either doing a complete backflip or you're not. Once you decide you're going to attempt a flip or any other stunt, it's important to commit yourself to the stunt -- success will only be had by seeing it through.

A good run is also dependent upon the extreme skier's ability to read the snow. Snow conditions can change not only from day to day, but also from hour to hour. Some extreme skiers prefer fresh powder, while others like a firm base beneath a softer surface, as is found more often with springtime snow. Less welcome is icy snow or slushy mix of debris and trouble.

The many forms of extreme skiing carry their own specialized techniques. Ski-BASE jumpers, for instance, must get enough distance from the jumping surface to ensure that they won't be carried back into it once their parachute deploys. Snow kiters must learn to steer their giant windfoils using a bar that operates much like a bicycle's handlebar. Ski gliders use collapsible poles that can be packed away once the hang glider is in flight.

Extreme skiers who perform long jumps borrow technique from ski jumpers and sail through the air with their skis forming a "V," increasing the height and distance a jumper can achieve. Studies performed in wind tunnels have shown that the "V" arrangement increases lift by as much as 28 percent [source: United States Ski and Snowboard Association].

But there might be danger ahead. More on that on the next page.

For the extreme skier, the dangers of treacherous slopes only increase the glory of conquering them. Though legends have been made of extreme skiers who have conquered mountains thought unskiable, cautionary tales spill forth from this dangerous activity as well, such as the 2008 death of extreme skier Billy Poole and the death of Shane McConkey in 2009 (both while being filmed for planned videos).

Extreme skiers are at increased risk of racking up all kinds of injuries, from lost teeth and broken bones to ruined knees and spines. In rugged backcountry and virgin snow, avalanches are a risk. When swept beneath a crashing wall of snow, extreme skiers can be crushed or suffocated if not quickly located and rescued.

In 2007, there were 38 ski-related deaths in the United States [source: Naito]. These deaths were spread over the spectrum of all ski and snowboard activities, but for the small percentage of skiers who embrace extreme skiing, the risks remain high. That's not to say extreme skiers aren't cautious and mindful about staying alive and healthy. It's just that any deviation from flawless execution of a stunt or trick can have disastrous results.

In McConkey's case, he was attempting a trick he had performed many times before: executing a double backflip, releasing his skis, and gliding away in a special wingsuit (think flying squirrel) and deploying a parachute during a 2,000-foot drop from a cliff. Once airborne, McConkey couldn't free himself from his skis, which is necessary to prevent your parachute from getting tangled up in them, and he was killed from the impact.

The ability to conquer death-defying runs and mind-blowing stunts -- especially on camera -- places professional extreme skiers in the peculiar position of being endorsed by ski-gear companies and other corporations to find more elaborate ways to risk one's life on skis. Many "in the biz" make a living starring in extreme videos featuring their daring feats. Even when executed safely, the jaw-dropping skiing featured in these movies can in turn prompt less experienced skiers to attempt dangerous feats that are far out of their skill set or ability.

Now that we know some of the dangers, we'll discuss on the next page some of the safety measures adopted by extreme skiers.

Though extreme skiers may consider themselves a different breed than your run-of-the-mill double-black-diamond skier, they must adhere to many of the same basic safety precautions, plus some.

There is always some risk of avalanche, and it's a leading cause of death for skiers across the board. The risk is increased when you're taking off from out-of-the-way cliffs and ledges and coming down hard and fast on improvised landing strips. Extreme skiers should always have transponders that enable rescue workers to locate them in case of avalanche, and GPS devices are a must for any extreme skier who is going off the beaten path. Avalanche-specific training is never a bad idea, either.

A good rule in general is that you should wear a helmet for any activity that has the word "extreme" before it. Beneath much of that fluffy powder are rocks, stumps and packed ice that can crack your head open, cause a concussion, or worse.

Of course, you don't want to engage in any extreme skiing until you've mastered the standard version. Advance slowly, and don't get impatient. You'll also need to become familiar with the exact terrain that you'll be hurtling your own body down. Plan carefully and always stay abreast of weather conditions. And one of the best safety precautions an extreme skier can take is to ski with a partner who can help out or call for help if something goes wrong.

Extreme skiing is a dangerous pursuit, but if you take the necessary precautions, know your own limits, and prepare yourself to the best of your abilities for the eye-popping feat you want to pull off on skis, you can have an extreme skiing adventure that's minimal on danger but big on adrenaline.

Want more extreme sports articles? Try the links on the next page.