Shane McConkey was a professional skier. He was born in Vancouver, British Columbia and was based out of Squaw Valley, California. He won numerous awards and competitions. McConkey started as a competitive ski racer, but moved on to be featured i Read more...
Shane McConkey was a professional skier. He was born in Vancouver, British Columbia and was based out of Squaw Valley, California. He won numerous awards and competitions. McConkey started as a competitive ski racer, but moved on to be featured in a long line of extreme skiing movies. McConkey was known for combining BASE jumping with skiing, as seen in such feats as skiing into a BASE jump off the Eiger. McConkey went to Burke Mountain Academy. He was also known for his contributions to ski design, notably being the father of reverse sidecut and reverse camber skis (aka: skis with rocker); first mounting bindings onto water skis for use in Alaska, then with the Volant Spatula and, more recently, the K2 Pontoon ski design.
On March 26, 2009, Shane McConkey died while skiing in the Dolomite Mountains in Italy. After performing a double back flip, McConkey intended to glide away in his wingsuit, "a stunt he's executed a number of times," according to a statement from Matchstick Productions, the company whose films McConkey often starred in. But McConkey struggled to release his skis. By the time he got them off, he'd been free-falling for 12 seconds and was too close to the ground for his wingsuit or parachute to do him any good. His parachute did not malfunction; it was never deployed. He died on the scene.
Announcements
See the latest announcements by the Memorial Curator
There are currently no announcements.
Memorial Wall
Write your condolences or share a memory with your friends and family on Shane McConkey's memorial wall.
Shane was an inspiration to everyone who saw him ski. He definitely was doing wanted he wanted to do and making a career out of it. with the risks go the reward and sometimes reality rears its ugly head, he did some real incredible and dangerous stuff that none of us have the walnuts to attempt. RIP Saucer Boy
James Cantela ,
August 06, 2011
...
I never got to meet Shane but I always watched him in the MSP movies. He was an amazing skier and the kind of guy anyone could relate to. My dream growing up watching focused on TV was to meet him because he look like the nicest guy and would do anything for anyone. I guess if I play my cards right, being 15, Ill see him up in the sky shredding the clouds.
Nathan Struthers ,
June 06, 2011
...
thanks shane for being an insperation to me and career iam proud to be a part of the industry and will always remember you and the impact you made on my life but to everyone free skiers dont die they ski in heaven
Christopher Nitzel ,
May 29, 2011
...
Just bought a pair of Spats. With these skis you changed the sport. Every time I see them I think about the few runs I was lucky enough to have skied with you. Gone but never forgotten.
Michael Kantor ,
May 16, 2011
...
You are always in my mind, you were the real Skier, and i'm sure you will be never forgotten... God bless you!
Matteo Ganora ,
April 29, 2011
...
Thanks for the inspiration to be a great skier and to ride the unknown. Thanks dude . Rest in Peace
Sam Pendreigh ,
April 28, 2011
...
This was and is my ski hero he made test out new stuff and get better at skiing and thats a hell of a hero
Jonar Sneen ,
April 27, 2011
...
my ski hero who actually changed skiing with phat skis and rocker, weird everything is rockered and phat! Thanks for keeping a industry alive!
mike ,
April 01, 2011
...
I created this memorial to Shane McConkey. The most inspirational guy I know. He lived his life to the fullest extreme.
William Goldman ,
March 22, 2011
Activity
See the latest activities for Shane McConkey's Online Memorial
