Although there is a certain amount of honor and pride in dieing while doing what you love, it is still extremely tragic and upsetting especially those closest to the departed. Alas those closest to pro big mountain skier, Billy Poole, are left mourning the 28 year old. During a documentary film shoot in Utah, Poole fell after attempting a cliff jump and later died from his injuries.The ski world is deeply hurt after losing one of their own and a huge up and comer in the sport. But as the executive of Poole’s biggest sponsor, Black Diamond Sports, stated "In this sport, death is part of life." Peter Metcalf.
Poole was living his dream and in a similar fashion as many skiers where making just enough money to feed their habit and themselves is what life is all about. This habit was quenched by skiing big mountains like Utah’s Alta and so on. He traveled the world with buddies and ski team, enjoying what life as a pro skier had to offer; no big contracts or money just flights and accommodations to some of the most remote and amazing skiing the world has to offer.
His family understood his passion as his sister stated "It was always his life dream to go and ski in Alaska. That was one of the big things that he was so happy about - the ability to go skiing in Alaska, . . . where nobody else goes."
His grandmother also said that since Billy was a little kid and first started skiing he was always looking for bigger and better jumps to learn how to ski off of and made it his profession.
Black Diamond explained his passion and personality well;
"…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."
In honor of Billy Poole’s talented and adventurous life I have added a couple links to short clips of his ski films; they are relatively short the first and second are just of Billy;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaQyxoXl1sA&eurl=http://video.aol.com/video-detail/billy-poole-the-levitation-project/1257886136
Respect is a little eerie as Poole narrated a few parts and the film is based on respect for these mountains and he says you have to thank god that you make it home each day alive. This was the film that he was so stoked to do as it was in Alaska;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSosKfbcIV8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PemQ6iECS1g
He will surely be missed by many.
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