Billy died Tuesday while filming for Warren Miller. Losses like this always remind me to appreciate every minute that I get to be alive.

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Sad news.

I thought it was inappropriate for Black Diamond’s Peter Metcalf to comment "in this sport, death is part of life".

Totally agree; way too soon after something like this happens to say that. I couldn't believe what I was reading from BD about what happened.

The comment did seem very callus and cold AND inappropriate.

I had the opportunity to ride in the same pack as Billy once or twice at the Bird and he was always smiling and having a good time. Like the one time he skied the Center Chute off of the Twins. Very impressive line with a 40 Ft. huck into 8 inches of snow. The Snowbird Patrol didn't look to kindly on that because the area is permanently closed, but boy howdy did that track look sweet, and it stayed there for a week, it was really impressive.

We will miss you Billy.

What comments are you guys referring to?

The 28-year-old Poole was sponsored by Salt Lake City-based Black Diamond Equipment Ltd., maker of ski and climbing gear. Chief executive Peter Metcalf described him as a rising star among big-mountain skiers.

"His stature was increasing. He was inspiring, outgoing, friendly, the perfect ambassador for a company like Black Diamond," Metcalf said. "He lived the life of big mountain skier on just enough money to support his habit.

"In this sport," the executive said, "death is part of life."




It should be noted this was the first person to die in these films; they put a tremondous amount of pre-planning into this work. Though, the planning and analysis of what they endeavor don't really make the cut as far as a presentable extreme film.

In all fairness to Peter, he is correct, and I would say that he was speaking from the point of view of a guy who is directly involved with these situations.

I was very seriously injured skiing on this type of terrain, and was lucky enough to come away with only a few plates and screws on my spine. As an adventure sports photographer, I have also work with many of these top skiers, and I have seen, first hand, some very close calls. The worst part of filming this type of sport is always the landings - not knowing if the skier stuck it or crashed and burned.

Anyway, I realize that the statement might sound cold to some, although I truly believe that it was meant with the greatest respect for Billy.

KC

I'm sorry, Tyler, but the risk of serious injury or death is always an up-front factor when skiing at that level on that type of terrain. But whether or not we agree on that particular issue, my point was that I truly believe that Peter's comment was meant with the utmost respect for Billy, or at least it was in no way meant to be disrespectful.

Peace,

KC

i gotta side with metcalf on this one. not only does it sound like he was trying to convey respect for poole by saying, "in this sport, death is a part of life", i think he also anticipated people assigning blame to him as the filmmaker. it seems like part of what he was trying to say was that it was admirable of poole to understand the risks inherent in the sport and take them anyway. if he took those risks for the love of the sport then i'd say it's admirable too.

I have worked on many film jobs including warren miller sets and although this is the first dealth, accidents do happen and I've had to carry the "talent" out at the end of the day.

Skiing at the level depicted in these movies carries risk. Sure the risk can be mitigate somewhat by the skill and preparation of the skier/border but sometimes the margins of safety are very narrow.

The truth can sometimes be hard to take.

I would agree with you guys, the truth is hard to take.

However, this wasn't the filmmaker commenting, or someone commenting as a peer or family member; it was chief executive of BD & the comments provided were given well before a determinant and any contributory factors on the cause of death. In his position, this was absolutely irresponsible.

Mark,

I hope you're not always this quick to pass judgment on people without making the effort to understand the context in which they make such statements - especially when they are closer to the situation than you. Peter Metcalf has been directly involved in these sports, and with these athletes, long enough to understand the reality and general acceptance of death as a part of the game.

I seriously doubt that Billy, or most of the athletes in that game, would have had any problem with the comment. All of the above considered, I think calling him irresponsible is, at best, unfair. I am not suggesting that you meant it that way, but just that it comes off as such.

Allright, Ken. I guess the way I see it, this is a family matter. If this was a family statement, I've got no problem with it.

Poole wasn't the first Skier to have died during filming!

During a filming in March 1993 Paul Ruff died will attempting to Jump a 160 Ft. cliff near "Kirkwood Ski Resort" Ca. I believe it was a Warren Miller filming IIRC. Paul Ruff also was 28 Years old at the time.

For the record my opinion of Peter Metcalf is extremly high and can't imagine he meant any disrespect or harm with this comment.

It's truly sad when anyone dies.

A guy filming a meatheads film was killed a few years ago in vermont while filming. This definitely was not the first death in ski porn.


Sad news, regardless.

Peter Metcalf was speaking the truth. It wasn't a callous statement.