To experience the thrill of skiing down steep virgin powder and launching from a cliff with an avalanche in hot pursuit, watch the video.
You'll undoubtedly get a feel for what it was like for Matthias Giraud to have done just that, thanks to high-definition helmet cameras worn by him and his partner, Stefan Laude, during a carefully planned stunt recently in the French Alps.
Giraud, on his website, explains that he and Laude -- both expert skiers and skydivers -- wore avalanche location devices and had a helicopter rescue team on standby. Laude was parachuting and filming from overhead as Giraud skied the ridge line leading to the cliff. He deployed his chute as snow spilled from the ledge to his right.
The video production has gone viral, and while it there is a strong commercial aspect to the production, it should not diminish the remarkable nature of the stunt itself. On the contrary, because of improving technology and the increasing use of helmet cameras by extreme athletes, viewers are able to get more of a vicarious feel.
Said Giraud, "It was probably the best run of my life."
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