The Greatest Skier of All Time: Remembering Shane McConkey. Video

January 2nd, 2023

Mountainwatch |Video

Last Friday, December 30th, was the late, great Shane McConkey’s birthday; he would have been 53 years old. Shane, regarded as one of the greatest and most influential skiers of all time, died in a base-skiing  accident in Italy on March 26, 2009. It is hard to believe it’s almost 14 years since he died.

Shane’s innovative and progressive skiing and aggression in big mountains made him a favoured talent for ski film producers, most notably Matchstick Productions, Shane featuring in over a dozen of its films.

Shane also had a massive influence on ski design, and he is credited with pretty well inventing reverse sidecut and reverse camber – or rocker – a variation of which is used in the base shape of all contemporary skis and snowboards.

Matchstick Productions re-released this edit on the weekend to celebrate Shane’s birthday, it is a timely reminder of Shane’s attitude to life and the huge impact he had on skiing.

Shane McConkey, testing out rocker on a pair water skis in Alaska. Screenshot: MSP

From Matchstick Productions

“Yesterday marked the birthday of the legendary Shane McConkey.  Shane was a true icon and pioneer in the sport of skiing. He inspired countless lives and paved the way for the future of extreme sports. Above all, Shane was a good friend and an incredible person.

This full segment from 2009’s “In Deep” is a tribute to Shane and a celebration of the incredible life he lived. From Saucer Boy to Shane’s Bond, this segment features many of our favourite McConkey moments.”