Show on mapWe nailed the Sassongher line today!
We nailed the Sassongher line today!
Today was quite cool! We finally nailed that line variation off the Val Scura couloir on Sassongher. This was extremely satisfying getting to ski such a unique line. Conditions in the couloir were still very hard and icy in places so the skiing was slow and careful. Traversing/hiking the ramp out of the couloir did not present much of a problem and it was a very cool feeling knowing what we were heading out to. The snow on the slope above the cliff was firm and icy and not much fun but it was only about 3 or 4 four turns long before the jump. We spent a lot of time on a rope looking over the edge of the cliff in a few different spots and throwing rocks to figure out how big the cliff was and how to manage this jump. I must say that it seemed a bit more spicy than we were expecting. The cliff bulged out further than we were hoping at the bottom and this made for a very intimidating looking jump. There was a minimal amount of snow at the edge of the cliff due to melt back so the best spots to ski off from were not doable. JT threw some rocks and we got a few 9 second rock drops and then we knew it was on! I had opted to not even bring my wingsuit today so I geared up for a standard slider up ski base jump. JT had brought his wingsuit and was feeling the wingsuit ski base. We called the MSP film crew on the radio and they fired up the heli and it as time to charge off this sucker! I went first and punched it hard into a big ol front flip with as much speed as I was comfortable taking in those conditions. Everything went great and I had an on heading opening. I flew down completely stoked and landed high up on the hillside so I could watch JT from a good angle. No more than 30 seconds after I landed I see JT flying off the cliff with a lot of speed. He yanked his skis off right away and began to fly immediately. It was a perfectly executed wingsuit ski base. Skis off quick and stable and into forward flight with no potato chipping or instability. I was jealous. Today was a good day!
Shane
(174 votes, average: 4.46 out of 5)
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Fly high, you were an inspiration to many. As a eight year old, I too jumped from the roof of the garage holding the corners of a bedsheet. Decades later you realized my dream. Forevetr thanks.
j
Shane, you were my greatest inspiration when I moved to Colorado and started making your skis in 98. The skiing community has lost a brother, patriot and hero. You will always be remembered.
I have a crushing feeling in my chest and tears well in my eyes
A day that should have been a good one personally, could never be the same when we found out.
Though we never knew you or had the pleasure to meet you, Lang and I feel like we lost one of our own.
RIP
My thoughts and prayers go out to the McConkey Family..
You were an inspiraton to so many of us…and to me you will always be. Ride on, saucer boy!!
RIP
RIP Shane,
You inspired me so much I think we will always miss you.
My thoughts and prayers go out to your family. I know you made that jump….just not in this life. Thanks for making my Volant intern days memorable in the best possible way!
Aloha Shane… We live a life that most people could never dream of living, we know the risks, but we love it anyway. All I can say is “Be more like Shane” Peace
SHANE WOULD HUCK IT! ROCK ON BROTHER!
You were always the hottest kid on skis at Whistler back in the days.
Everyone would always stop and watch as you went blasting by. A legend at Whistler and beyond and a true chip off the ol’ block,
‘Shane would go’ McConkey, you will be missed by all who you so inspired.
Just ski down there and jump off of something!!
RIP
Condolences from Singapore.
Vancouver… Whistler …
Words can not articulate my sadness for your loss Sherry and beautiful little Ayla.
RIP dear comrade.
Becky
To all of Shane’s family and friends,
I was deeply saddened to hear of Shane’s passing. Even though I never met Shane personally, I felt as if I knew him from his many movies. His sense of humor, desire for innovation, and genuine passion for life will never be duplicated.
John
Los Angeles, CA
Thanks Shane. You were a great landlord and beautiful person. your infectious joy will live on in the hearts of many.
the ultimate bad ass …Saucerboy will live forever..Rip ..and my prayers go to his wife and girl…you were what skiing is all about!!! you made me proud to be a skier!!!
My heart goes out to the McConkey family! Thank you Shane for being such an inspiration and by living by example, teaching others to live their life to the fullest! You have provided this earth with a very precious gift! Thanks for all of the memories and smiles! Although you will not be here physically, your spirit will live on! Cheers to a new dimension and new journies! Spread your wings and continue to fly!
My love and condolences to the family whom I have known for over 40 years…unbelievable loss…we will see you Shane everywhere in the mountains that you so loved….Starr
Your energy, humor and love for life are, were and will always be an inspiration. Thanks for making the skiing tribe thrive and the KT powder lift line mornings go by with laughter. Much love to Sherry and Ayla.
Shane…You’ve left me speechless and in disbelief. Thank you for the fond memories of the travels and great lines we’ve skied together, and of course, the lines I watched you rip apart. Even though I retired from the scene a few years ago, I speak of you the most when telling my non-skiing friends stories of antics in the mountains and of course Vegas.
You will be sorely missed my friend. Thank you for the inspiration, laughs, and great times.
See you on the other side someday…I’m sure.
Scottie Ewing
A sad ending for someone so young to leave….suddenly.
Shane,
Thanks for showing me a trick or two back in the early 90s. I can still picture you pulling off a double backflip at the end of the day on the “ram kicker” under chair 4 at Vail when everyone else was beyond tired. Then there was “Cliff Clavin” and “Norm” (why Norm? because it’s huge!). I remember the last time I’d seen you, riding around in your red Subaru wagon back in the day. You were an idol of and looked up to by many. It was cool to see where you and Kent took the sport of skiing. I just got a call and heard the news from the friend who happened to be with me that day you were driving around in your Subaru and saw us and stopped to say hello. You were a class-act then, and I am certain that stayed the same through the years. Your going to be missed by many that much I can tell. Shane, my prayers go out to you and your family.
Eric
Shane,
Although I hadn’t yet had the chance to meet you, you have been a role model to me for many years. My prayers will shower your family through this loss. Thank you for reminding me to love every minute of my life. You’re skiing the “line that never ends” I can’t wait to join you. With all my love……Thank You!
Jimbo E.
Today just feels like a bad dream, it just doesn’t seem real. I thought Shane was indestructible. My prayers are with his family.
As I drove around in dis-belief trying to figure out how to deal with this I noticed a young kid with a helmet on playing in his side yard. He jumped off a rock that was about 4 feet tall, and since he was only about 5 years old this must have been huge to him.
The huge smile on his face showing excitement and glory spoke volumes.
It made me think of Shane and how he lived his life. I smiled…
Rock on Saucer Boy! Your not done yet! and you never will be because you will live on through legacy!
It was a pleasure to meet you this year. Rest in peace.
1978 or 1979… Whistler Goat’s Gulley..Saw you burn that when still a kid and you caught my eye.. Your father taught you well.My blessings to your family…….
You’re the only person who was better than me and sicker than me. As I am a legend, you are a mortal legend. I have chosen to hide myself from the public and inspire no one but a few who had the opportunity to see me in action; You chose to inspire the world and show them the magic. I admired you from afar with great respect and humility. Thank you Shane. I will always remember you. The next ascent and descent is for you, and for you only. I know you will watching me from the skies…
From the tallest peaks, the steepest lines and the bottom of my heart,
Bobby Fenton
Shane you will be missed! I’ll never forget the line you skied in 97 at the worlds in Chamonix. You were in a league all by yourself. I feel blessed to have known you! In Peace
Dear Sherry and family
To your my heartfelt feelings just does not seem enough to just say sorry. We put our trust in a God who keeps us all in the palm of His hand until the days numbered in His book come up. Now you and your family just press into that palm for comfort and strength. I too had to press into that hand twice in my short life time and it does help. Sherry my family sends you gentle hugs and our prayers I hope will help lift you .
big CLEAR SKY for you, heaviest landing for your relatives and friends. We’ve met twice in la Grave and Chamonix in 90’s when promised to be back and ski one day together….
Warm greetings to your relatives from your Polish friend:)
You were an Inspiration to many of us…and to me you will always be. Thank you for that. Ride on, saucer boy!
Truly saddened to hear the news, you actually did what I could only dream of doing. You lived life to the fullest and with complete freedom; you were fearless on & off the mountains; no confinements.
Thanks for taking me were no one else could.
McSlitty
Greenville, SC
Shane, you once showed me a line on a big storm day. Today,I so clearly see your smile as you checked over your shoulder to see that I was on your tails, that I know everyone feels your energy around the world. Humble, generous, funny, and totally real. You are missed, Shane, thanks for giving so much to all of us on the mountain. We relayed your energy onward from the top of the Palisades yesterday, like a group of skier/prayer flags in the wind.
Everyday was a good day for you Shane, your flying free now. You will be missed and I hope all the best for Sherry and Ayla. I know your watching over them, and we will do our best to take care of them and give them love in this trying time. Rock on dude! You inspired so many, and I am glad I got the chance to chat with you about life. I will miss you greatly, and will live everyday to the fullest! Thank you!
RIP Shane
RIP Shane, You inspired us all to seek the unknown and have the courage to live our dreams. Thank you for sharing an extraordinary life that ended too soon.
Stay warm, keep cool up their mate. Standing giant, your heart sings a loud chorus, its echo booms through us all. Rest deservedly, your life lived with laughter and love full.
Shane embodied the beauty, fire and potential of the human spirit. A sad loss but a proud death at the height of living.
I grew up watching you rip all over the world in your movies. Your death is an awful blow to the ski community my prayers go out to your family. There truly was something about McConkey!
RIP Shane, we only met a few times, but I knew from your enthusiasm and fire you loved what you did. Watching your films was always magical.
Debbie and I will miss you, and will do anything to help Sherry and Ayla.
LK
you were the only pro to me.
love you man
hath
Shane always was and still is still my skiing hero, plain and simple. His Huck doll hangs from my rear view mirror and gets me stoked all the time.
I am praying for your family. Thank you for the inspiration and the innumerable contributions you made to skiing, you won’t be forgotten.
When I heard the news yesterday my heart dropped. I had been a huge fan of Shane since I first saw him ski in “Sick Sence” and based my style of skiing after his style. I had the oppertunity to meet Shane in NYC at the MSP premiere of Claim. At 29 years old I was like a little kid meeting his idle for the first time, I was awe struck. I have always looked up to him for what he has done for our sport. I was honored to have met him. He will be truely missed. MSP Films and the industry will never be the same. RIP Shane thank you for making freeskiing what it has become today.
Shane thank you for living your life like we all should.
May u stick that landing in ski heaven
I am sorry for your families deep loss
RIP
[...] Shane McConkey’s final blog post [...]
RIP man you inspired us all bro
To soon gone, too soon ripped from the bonds that held you fast to this mortal coil…to soon taken from those you held most dear. Your will live on in the hearts and minds of friends and fans forever, RIP man.