John Nicoletta - Tragic Death

On Friday, April 11, 2008 Colorado extreme skier John Nicoletta died in a jump- off-rock-wall during the Subaru Freeskiing World Championships at the Alyeska Ski Resort in Girdwood. Nicoletta lost control while attempting to ski off a band of rock known as the “Headwall”, leading to his death at the tender age of 27. The assistant emergency medical services chief of the Girdwood Fire Department, Terry Kadel, described Nicoletta tumbling down head over heels down the side of a mountain which measures up to 3000 feet above the valley ground.

Kadel had seen Nicoletta cart wheeling towards his death during a live broadcast in a restaurant where he was picking up food. Even though the fire station was called upon immediately, they were unable to help, as Nicoletta had stopped breathing and was in cardiac arrest. A helicopter ambulance, which had been called upon at the same time, was unable to attend to Nicoletta as they were busy carrying a different patient to another destination. The impact of the fall was so severe that he died as soon as he hit solid ground, with his helmet instantly falling off.

Alaska state trooper, Sergeant Bryan Barlow said the cause of Nicoletta’s death has been finalized as “massive blunt force trauma to the chest”. Commonly described as an “ex-Eastcoaster”, Nicoletta was one among 70 men and 26 women who qualified for the extreme competition at Alyeska, fighting for the cash prize of $12,500. Nicoletta had finished second at the Subaru Telluride Freeskiing Open just two months ago, and had featured in various ski videos as well. After Nicoletta’s fall on Friday, the competition had been halted. But after discussions with various competitors, the competition has been resumed once again.

Girdwood fire Chief Bill Chadwick, did however admit that with increasing new areas being opened up at Alyeska for the ski competition, the risk factor increases as well.

Whistler to Stay Open for Two Months

Whistler has said that it will continue this years skiing season for another two months. Skiing on the Whistler mountain itself will stop on the 20th of April.

However, skiing and snowboarding will still be possible on the Blackcomb Mountain until the 8th of June which is just under two months away.

This is especially late for the resort to be open for the Winter season, usually it is sooner that it switches over to summer activities. This is partly due to the very large amounts of snow this year, it is thought that the snow base is currently over 250 cm.

So, it will still be possible to ski and board for two more months.

Season Pass Prices Set in Colorado

Most of the major ski resorts in Colorado have announced the prices of their season passes for the 2008 to 2009 winter season.

However, one of the biggest ski resorts, Aspen, has yet to announce it’s prices for the next season, but you can expect them to be similar to this years prices, with the cheapest pass available for around $1,240.

Another large resort, Vail Resorts has given out details of it’s so called “Epic Pass”. The Epic Pass gives skiers and boarders access to all parts of the resort including Vail, Keystone and more. The price that Vail Resorts has given the Epic Pass is $579.

With a wide range of other pass prices being announced by the majority of resorts in Colorado, you will be able to plan your skiing and snowboarding well in advance.

Tribute Paid to Wallace Westfeldt by Family & Friends

The friends and family of snowboarder Wallace Westfeldt have paid him tribute after his horrific and shocking death on the 4th of April whilst snowboarding for a film just outside Aspen.

Wallace was only 22 and was filming for a movie when something went when he fell from a cliff and suffered several injuries including internal bleeding.

His death has shocked the snowboarding community and on the 8th of April a tribute was paid to him and over 500 turned out.

Aksel Lund Svindal - Back & Better

Just four months after Aksel Lund Svindal (Axel Lund) is back on the slopes and back to winning again.

On the 27th of November 2007 Axel Lund was badly injured during an accident during training. He landed a jump badly and after going through a safety fence he broke several bones in his face and took several other injuries.

However, now Axel is back and he is doing great. Last weekend at Verbier he won the High Five at Verbier beating some of the best world class skiers that competed in past world championships.

This is also a landmark for Axel, not just because he did well, but because this was one of his first major and proper events that he has taken part it after his accident.

Axel was obviously delighted with his result. He was congratulated by James Blunt and here is what he said:

“I’m really pleased, this has been a funny and exciting day for me, you can’t compare it to a World Cup race, but for sure it’s a good feeling to have been so competitive throughout the entire day and to reach the final of that parallel slalom,” Svindal said afterwards. “Winning is always good, whatever kind of competition you’re entering.”

Good luck to Axel in upcoming competitions.

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