Doug Coombs reportedly killed in avalanche

[H-man]

If you can't read french it says that he was taken out by an avalanche behind him at around 2pm which pistehors verfiys.

Pistehors says "either slipped or hit by a purge". Sucks one way or another. Just goes to reinforce the fact that initial information on these types of accidents is often confused and wrong.

Major downer.

[homerjay]

RIP Doug.

[72Twenty]

I met Doug in Salt Lake City at one of the OR Shows in the Salt Palace 5 or 6 years ago. He was so cool, he just hung out and talked to me even though I was probably acting like a school girl. It was like meeting John Elway or Joe Montana and having a casual conversation like old friends. I felt like I could soak in every word he said. Last night I watched Warren Miller's Journey and his segment in that film. I think I will watch it again... and again.......

RIP Doug......

[brownmonkey]

I am stunned - I can't believe this after seeing the man himself tuning his skis last week on a beautiful clear evening in La Grave.

A great loss and a sad reminder to us all that these beautiful mountains care not for experience, knowledge or legends.

RIP

[killclimbz]

I am stunned by this. Doug was an inspiration to all sliders. My condolences to his friends and family. RIP.

[mr_gyptian]

can't get the image of him hop turning down a chute in that red and yellow marmot jacket.

hope his family's taken care of.

[Mcwop]

Wow! How did I miss this thread yesterday.

My heart just sank down into my ass.

[beaterdit]

I am writing this with tears in my eyes.
RIP to a pioneer, a legend, a hero, and exemplary human being.
To Emily and David, and the rest of his family and freinds, stay strong, our thoughts are with you.

[SkiJunky05]

RIP......

[Foggy_Goggles]

One of the greats taken much to early. This certainly puts my departure to La Grave tommorrow in perspective.

RIP, powder turns in the sky.

[shmerham]

This part from the article on the telemark tips site makes me feel really sad:

but the thing that made Doug such an outstanding person was his way with people. When he was instructing or coaching he had the ability to make everyone feel special, whether they were negotiating a steep and hairy chute, or making turns down a blue run. He would tell them how great they were doing and just be super supportive.

It's amazing how much some people are able to brighten up peoples' days (or lives for that matter). I think I would've immensely enjoyed one of Doug's camps and it's really sad to know I'll never get to meet him.

[FrankZappa]

Such a bummer. RIP man.
Condolences to family and friends.

[snowmass skier]

I just wanted to confirm for everyone that the skier killed with Doug was Chad Vander Ham from Silverthorne, CO. He was a wonderful person, a great friend and an amazing skier. He is loved and already missed by many friends and family members. Thank you to all of you that have expressed your concern, thoughts and prayers for Chad.

[H-man]

RIP Chad.

[truth]

Skiers: Charlotte Persson and Chad Vander Ham
Location: Going down to Saint Christophe, La Grave, France

http://www.skierslodge.com/

[mountainbored]

It really does seem like the good die young.
RIP and prayers to all family and friends of both.

[ex-groomer]

Such sad news. My heart goes out to his family and friends who now have to bear this terrible burden.
Another mountain hero gone way too soon. RIP Doug.

[Black Market]

Coombs feared dead

By Jim Stanford
Jackson Hole Daily

Mountaineer Doug Coombs, whose feats in the Tetons, Alaska and around the world made him a legend in skiing, is believed dead following an avalanche in the French Alps.


Details were sketchy as of press time Monday evening, but a representative of Marmot, the outdoor clothing company that sponsored Coombs, confirmed his death in an avalanche.


According to reports, Coombs was skiing with clients in a couloir near La Grave, where he and his wife, Emily, operate a steep skiing camp, when the avalanche occurred.


Friends gathered Monday night in Jackson for an impromptu remembrance of the man known for his exuberance, fearlessness and strikingly graceful skiing of the steepest slopes under even the worst of conditions.


An Exum mountain guide and former ski ambassador for Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Coombs long has been regarded as one of the best skiers in the world. He was a two-time winner of the World Extreme Skiing Championships and pioneered descents on several continents.


“He was a great person to have at the top,” said Forrest McCarthy, a friend and fellow Exum guide. “He was always full of energy. He inspired so many climbers and skiers and guides, along with his clients.”


Coombs was born in Boston and grew up skiing in Vermont and New Hampshire. He later moved to Bozeman, Mont., to ski at the Big Sky and Bridger Bowl resorts and attend college at Montana State University.


He moved to Jackson Hole in 1986 and began guiding for High Mountain Heli-Skiing. He and his wife started their renowned steep skiing camps at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and in 1993 founded Valdez Heli-Ski Guides in Alaska, where the couple would go each spring. In Alaska’s Chugach Range, Coombs is credited with pioneering more than 300 ski routes.


Coombs served as ski ambassador for Jackson Hole until 1997, when a dispute with the ski patrol over skiing a closed area led to his temporary banishment. In recent years, he quietly resumed guiding around the ski area.


Following his fallout with the resort, Coombs and his wife took their steep camps to La Grave and Verbier, Switzerland. The couple has a home in Jackson Hole and a toddler son.


Coombs, who was in his 40s, spent time skiing and guiding in Jackson Hole earlier this winter. He gave a well-received presentation at the Barry Corbet Film Festival in January, rappelling from the rafters of Walk Festival Hall to thunderous applause to introduce his film, The Otter Body Experience. The film documented his first descent of the Otter Body Snowfield on the Grand Teton with Exum guide Doug Workman.


An avalanche forecast for La Grave, France, reported fresh snow Monday and a danger rating of 3 on a scale of 1 to 5.


Exum colleague McCarthy said Coombs was deserving of the title “the best skier in the world,” which many in Jackson regarded him to be.


“He carried it with dignity,” McCarthy said. “He was always fun to be with, work with, climb with and ski with. In a lot of ways, he defined what a lot of people in Jackson Hole aspire to be.”

[MassLiberal]

It's amazing how much some people are able to brighten up peoples' days (or lives for that matter). I think I would've immensely enjoyed one of Doug's camps and it's really sad to know I'll never get to meet him.

A guy in my office once went to Jackson Hole on a corporate trip. He said they were a bunch of intermediates, just out to have fun, but Doug Coombs wound up skiing with them and it was the highlight of their trip. Even though they knew that he was a skiing super star, he stil hung around and gave everyone pointers and taught them about the mountain for a few runs. What really blew them away was that they had just met up with the guy on the slopes, they hadn't hired him or anything.

[Dexter Rutecki]

Fuck fuc fuck

I read through this whole thing hoping it wasn't Chad, and then I saw his name. Fuck, goddamnit.
Here's to you Chad, thanks for everything in La Grave. I'll miss you and your mentor, although I never met him.

So sad, shaking with chills. Why.

[Hutch]

RIP Chad.

[skier0178]

RIP Doug and Chad. Very sad day for sure...

[upallnight]

[freshies]

Oh no, I am sick to my stomach, just saw this. Prayers go out to Emily and their child, as well as all those Doug worked with, influenced and touched over the years. He truly was one of skiing's great ambassadors.

I will always treasure the times we had the privilege of his guiding @ VHSG, just a down to earth guy that bled skiing and soul . RIP D.C.

[Bozoskier]

RIP Doug, May there be neverending 55 degree fluted peaks in heaven.

-Jake