It's one of the best shows around.
In a video shared this weekend, filmmaker Ken Bailey caught a draw-dropping sight: seven avalanches triggered by an avalanche mitigation crew outside Telluride, Colorado.
The mountain shown in this video is Ajax Peak, which sits at the end of a box canyon, is viewable from Telluride, towering over the small ski town.
Telluride Helitrax, a heli-skiing operation that also participates in mitigation efforts, runs the helicopters towards Ajax Peak to trigger the avalanches with explosives.
Few places in the world offer front-row seats to massive avalanches, so, according to Denver7, Telluride takes on a "block party" like atmosphere whenever Helitrax heads towards Ajax Peak with explosives. Hundreds of onlookers file into the streets, gazing upwards as walls of snow cascade downwards.
Like several others throughout Colorado, Telluride Ski Resort benefitted from the recent storm that impacted the state, receiving two feet of fresh snow.
And when it snows, avalanches—human-triggered or otherwise—tend to follow. Helitrax's mitigation efforts, while indeed a spectacle as Bailey's video shows, are more than just showmanship; they help reduce the risk of slides and keep the local community safe.
Don't miss another headline from POWDER! Subscribe to our newsletter and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of skiing.
We're always on the lookout for amusing, interesting and engaging ski-related videos to feature on our channels. Whether you're a professional skier or just an amateur, we want to see your best footage and help you share it with the world. Submit your video for a chance to be featured on POWDER and our social channels. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch high-quality ski videos.
