A Skier's Death

Rest In Peace, Doug Coombs - Updated

By Shea Andersen, 4-04-06

The news hit like a freight train to the backcountry skiing community: legendary skier Doug Coombs reportedly died in an avalanche in his adopted home in France.

The news accounts are pouring in, but apparently a wet-slide avalanche did him in. See Update below

For those who live to see and experience steep skiing in the high and wild mountains of the world, Coombs was an inspiration. He also happened to be a goofy, friendly and warm personality that made you want to follow him into those crazy places. Whether it was in ski films like "Harvest" or any number of other films he's been a part of, or at his famous steep-skiing camps, he made it look so easy, but more to the point, he made it look so fun.

Coombs spent lots of time in Jackson Hole, where he was a well-known fixture at Exum Mountain Guides, and, for a while, as an ambassador for Jackson Hole Ski Resort. He and his wife Emily were everywhere the mountains were, it seems.

Best to you and your family, Doug.

Update:

According to this update from MountainZone.com, Coombs was killed not by an avalanche but by a fall from an icy cliff, while investigating the fall of a companion. You can also follow the Telemarktips.com updates as they come.

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