Death in Utah
Pro Extreme Skier Billy Poole Dies After Cliff Jump
By Matthew Frank, 1-22-08
For a story on Billy Poole and his life, click here.
Professional extreme skier Billy Poole died Tuesday from injuries he suffered after jumping off a cliff while filming in Utah with Warren Miller Entertainment. The Salt Lake Tribune reports that “Poole was filming a jump, had a bad landing, and possibly hit some rocks.”
Poole, 28, who learned to ski in Montana and, according to a friend, called the Missoula home, was skiing in the backcountry of Big Cottonwood Canyon. He was living in Salt Lake City.
Poole was sponsored by Black Diamond Equipment. Chief executive Peter Metcalf described Poole as a rising star among big-mountain skiers, according to an AP report.
“His stature was increasing. He was inspiring, outgoing, friendly, the perfect ambassador for a company like Black Diamond,” Metcalf told the AP. “He lived the life of big mountain skier on just enough money to support his habit.”
“In this sport,” the executive said, “death is part of life.”
Black Diamond’s Website includes a Billy Poole page which reads, in part:
...in the true spirit of freeriding, Billy is in it for the fun and the lifestyle. Second to deep powder and buffed parks, Billy has a strong affection to spicy Nachos and cold beer. He can be spotted after a day on the hill at the Sitzmark Club in the Alta Lodge—that is when he’s not traveling to Canada or wherever else the powder lures him.
The site also features an interview with Poole about a recent trip to Argentina.
A number of Billy Poole ski videos can be viewed on YouTube, including the one below, part of the Levitation Project.
Editor’s note: We reached Warren Miller for comment, and he informed us that he is no longer directly affiliated with Warren Miller Entertainment. (Warren Miller Entertainment was acquired by Time, Inc., and then about a year ago it was acquired by The Bonnier Group of Sweden.) Warren said: “For the record, I no longer have anything to do with the film company that uses my name to promote such films and while I regret Mr. Poole’s death and offer my condolences to his family, I can state emphatically that he was not being filmed by crews on my behalf or for any movie that I am involved in.”
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_much love
I hope the ski industry will take a closer look at the risks/rewards these amazing skiers are taking. These atheletes should be fully covered under life and health insurance paid for by the ski film companies.
As I am aware, Billy didn't have kids, but what's going to happen to the next guy, his family, kids? Surely, I pray that an accident like this will not happen to anyone, however, young athletes need to be taken care of, should an accident happen.
It's not an accident. It's a foreseeable consequence. I fully support a person's right to take chances, but no one else should be asked to pick up the tab.
He wasn't born in Hardwick, but he spent a lot of years growing up in the West Part and it was the Best Part.
thanks,
Phyllis (Billy's Mom)
Read more about the Billy Poole Foundation at http://www.billypoole.com
I am a 30 year skier/snowboarder that lives in South Florida. Every day when I go to work, or run, or time trial or swim, I think of people like Billy who are doing what they love. It inspires me to push harder, and live my life to the fulliest. You should be very proud to have a son or friend that can inspire in such ways.