Ian McIntosh Skis the “Y” Couloir in La Grave France: Behind the Line Season 7 Episode 1

Buy Almost Ablaze Now! itunes.apple.c...
Veteran big mountain skier, Ian McIntosh headed to La Grave, France last winter to film for TGR’s Almost Ablaze. Get in the head of McIntosh as we experience step by step what it took to ski the “Y” couloir. Ian encounters a wide variety of obstacles, both to access and ski the face. He traverses across a steep exposed rock field. Once in position, Ian skis with his signature speed over a mandatory air and a double bergschrund at the bottom on the slope. Witness a veteran of big mountain skiing showcase his craft in the first episode of Behind the Line from Teton Gravity Research.

[@tylerm2547]

Helmets are cool

[@spacecarpenter1265]

Are you paid to say that?

[@CaffeinatedDoggo]

Helmets are for people that don't get "gripped" on la grave, bro.

[@temaz3334]

yeaaah sure, dawg. u r superman we got it

[@robbiesharp311]

Only people who want to mess their hair up wear helmets....I got paid to say that.

[@bossisland8015]

Helmets are for those who want to remember that they crashed on la grave. Coming from a research scientist for Dove Men’s, it is shown that nice, thick hair provides enough protection to that noggin of yours.

[@diddyboy7121]

I know exactly how these guys feel. At my local mountain at the top of the magic carpet there gets a pretty nice size rut from where everyone turns to the right when they get off and if you’re not ready it can kind a jar your legs a little bit if you don’t bend your knees properly.

[@alexkhuri3967]

This is the best comment.

[@garethj4646]

Was lucky enough to drop "Y" with a La Grave guide on a solo trip a couple of years back. A bit more snow coverage and not so sketchy. What an incredible place to ski! Totally different to anywhere else I've ever ridden. Not a ski resort - more of a mountaineering station. Gudies de la Grave guys made the whole trip possible. Chapeau!

[@jeffmurray6219]

It takes a lot of balls to ski that line. You guys did it with great humour. I would have been scared shitless. I have looked at that line several times and fallen over.

[@dexteroiio]

The second guy really need a helmet in this case

[@la-grave]

If you have met Joe V, you wouldn't worry about his brain.

[@josh69127]

So him last week he wears a baseball cap now 😂

[@CaffeinatedDoggo]

i like how the guide to french mountain has a California / bro accent..

[@la-grave]

Vallone is American.

[@pierreclaudel-teysseire8960]

Never skiing without helmet !!

[@thomasbummer4361]

cry more

[@verysynthesizer5972]

The "L'Oreal" hair cut cannot be covered by an ugly plastic helmet...

[@flicksta]

Last time I skiied in La Grave I saw Joe Vallone get buried in an avalanche close to Les Trifide. Guy ski cut above him and send the snow down over him and two others. We were all getting our beacons out when luckily the three of them sat up. Saw him in a restaurant later than day and he was still in shock. Scariest thing i ever saw.

[@oitoitoi1]

hope he was wearing a helmet that time...

[@flicksta]

I've skied a couple of weeks in La Grave - absolutely epic. One time I skied Trifide in a group of about 6, we had finished and were in a safe zone at the bottom. 3/4 guys dropped in a little higher than us and Keith, the guide i was skiing with, didn't like the look of the way one guy skied directly above another. One avalanche later we are all switching our beacons to receive and getting ready to search, although luckily the hill profile meant all the buried skiers could just sit up and were shaken but safe. Pretty sure the guy below the guy who initiated it was Joe Vallone.

[@smartpuff7389]

That slope already looks nearly vertical even with the distortion of the Go Pro...

[@user-em8pd2uk2m]

I was there very often .. in my nightmares, I not joke, it's really waked me up till night

[@dane3030]

So epic!! I felt gripped just watching!!! Awesome work Ian and TGR film crew!

[@DavidNesbit_AU]

Amazing talent to keep it all together whilst dealing with all the rocks; the steep slope and the oftentimes thicker, narrow chute; cruddier snow. Great job.. l certainly would chicken out with all those impediments!

[@JMcKaySV]

Is that guy not wearing a helmet? That's not cool.

[@dask7428]

James McKay he is crazy not to wear one ikr. Im not even an extrême skier but I always wear one.

[@bipseh]

in France almost everyone wears a helmet, it's the best thing you can do tbh xd

[@mtadams2009]

I wear a helmet but back in the day I never did in fact no one did and I never knew anyone to have a head injury. I still have a few friends that don;t. They can give you a false sense of security.

[@chameleonedm]

False sense of security? What on earth? I have had falls that without a helmet I would have been at least knocked out and still moving. People have definite suffered head injuries without helmets, stop spreading nonsense.

[@Ojfanta]

too be fair with how steep, exposed and far down it is till you would stop moving you would be dead, helmet or no helmet.

[@tapiture3720]

Damn, I still don’t understand why people do this voluntarily but it’s pretty amazing

[@la-grave]

The feeling of complete concentration during the run, as well as the skiing something as steep as this with flow, is great. And the relief when down safe (Actually, you feel that at least twice during the run: first after climbing down the col and second after stepping over the rocks. Both are very exposed and if you fall it is game over.). Absolutely worth it.

[@dundeedolphin]

Iain McIntosh and La Grave. Match made in heaven.

[@brianharder7714]

I would guess that Joe would not typically ski that line in that fashion. Being with the TGR crew changed his whole approach. Skimo in the Alps is a different beast than ripping lines in Haines. They both got lucky.

[@GUIDESPERSPECTIVE]

Joe Here Brian, I've actually cleaned the line many times prior to that day. First time I crashed that line. I slowed down because I was going to pop the shoulder skiers right and take the steep flank with better snow, I missed the shot I wanted, was too low and changed back to the straight line last minute. Shit happens but being with TGR was an amazing expeirence. I had so much on my plate with that crew and the cameras and pace was intense to get the most of the trip. I had more responsiblity then my skiing with that group and getting into these lines is not like landing a summit with a Heli in AK. I wasn't thinking about my skiing as much as I should of, so much going on with production. I think that was the worst I have ever skied that line. I'm not an alpes skimo dude either. I do climb some big lines but not in skimo style. I also have probably opened that line as much or more then anyone in the last 10 years and perhaps have more descents then anyone else in that line. . It's not always a charging line but I have had it in conditions where I have cleaned it as fast if not faster. I moved right last second on the apron with all that sluff in front of me from hesitating and changing lines, I couldn't see the boil line and just punched right. C'est La Vie. No regrets, but I have to disagree with your comment.

[@brianharder7714]

No worries, Joe. That was no shade thrown to you. Just figured you'd typically ski it like most non-AK steep skiers. But shit, like you alluded, I don't know you at all but enjoy watching you when I can. My buddy, Zahan has told me about the safety gig with TGR. Busy as shit but you get to ski with some fun guys and gals. Good work, if you can get it!

[@lukemiller108]

Some of us know how well you can ski Joey :-) It's great to see you out there getting it done. Who would believe the same guy used to throw the screamin' semen out of the pipe at copper? Nice work!

[@iugaflorin5555]

Waiting for “ski experts” to comment about the fact that they skied on steeper slopes than this

[@mtadams2009]

I have not and I am sure of that.

[@marcograndi39]

the hardest bit is when he does an 180 with his skies (i.e one look left and one look right ) on a super steep couloir and makes it look easy. he keeps all his weight anchored on the back ski and turn his lleg... very difficult... i would slid over

[@lucybarnsley9520]

the guide with no helmut !! .. thats stupid

[@alexklick4836]

+lucy barnsley seriously, it's got crazy exposure. One bad fall with no helmet and you're a vegetable for life. That is insane.

[@tomkennedy8617]

+Alex Klick Actually Joe thinks helmets are silly. You could ask him, he's a nice guy.

[@everglide15]

but why not wear one even if it will increase your chances of survival by 1%?

[@JallesAlles]

lucy barnsley ---- WHATS STUPID IS THAT YOU CANT SPELL HELMET!!😂😂

[@mangotreechen]

he is not talking about safety at all, you guys!! he is missing his german buddy helmut with whom he used to do a lot of amazing and thrilling rides!!

[@chrisklimmer653]

i saw almost ablaze at least 50 times. these guys are so great

[@AlbaAdventures]

I remember seeing Jordan Manley's LaGrave edit - and was amazed by the terrain. Crazy "iron" cajones by Ian and Joe on this path. Skills I will unlikely ever obtain. Nicely done and hope one day to make it there.

[@petermartin9494]

Reminds me of a while ago while I was skiing with the Mrs. in an area I did not know. It go steeper and steeper so she panicked and sat down and then started sliding down the slope, faster and faster... I skied down below her, stopped her and told her it was no big deal and it was all in her head. I am not sure if she has forgiven me yet, hahahahaha ;)

[@Ivan-nt5cd]

Those kick turns were elite

[@stargazer7668]

Never catch me playing in the snow...You guys are crazy!!!

[@joshuadowling8778]

Jeebus Xmas! I love watching this shit. I live vicariously through you guys!. I wish I could have the confidence to point my shit like that. I'm 50 years old. I try to bury that and run, but my shit hurts. I never even had bad knees.

[@ROM12086com]

Teton gravity research, with a help of a McIntosh. Good stuff, thank you for everything.

[@blubers33]

damn that guide almost bombed the whole line, hes got some serious skill

[@Yoghurtslave]

That guide just lost it and skied way above his ability. Could have gone really bad. Crazy shit.

[@MeowtroidPrime]

***** I don't question his ability. Not as good as the first guy, but good enough. Just poor judgement. Cut too far to the right and had a much larger jump. Should have tried to keep the speed more in check at the bottom.

[@cockboy12]

Karel Olaerts Fair enough. I have been riding for over 16 years so my skills and ability have slowly evolved and I remember the day have a blast on the hill just dressing down green runs. BUT as you progress, eventually, you will want to push the limits and after 16 years the only thing that really gets me going and having fun on a board is when I am close to death, as fucked as that is. But ya, you're right, speeding down a black run at 100 KLMs, you can break your neck pretty easy. Hopefully it never happens. I do try and calculate my risks. Travis Rice is the best free rider in the world and have never had a major injury. I mean that's rare, but I think you can push the limits, get out of your comfort zone, get dangerous, and still do it in the safest manner possible.

[@cockboy12]

Karel Olaerts Right on buddy. Keep having fun out there. Only thing, even just smooth cursing through pow, avalanches can kill too! Be safe and enjoy the season. Hills in my area are already open/opening.

[@cockboy12]

Karel Olaerts I'll check it out. Also, I've ridden Couchevalle a few times in my life. France has some of the best skiing in the world. I'm 45 min - 3 hours away from eight of the best ski hills in Alberta/BC which is nice too!

[@CaffeinatedDoggo]

Agree.. skiing 25 years, now 31 yr/old... skiing is my drug and i need the adrenaline fix every time i go up... it's dangerous but I love it.. nothing on the level like the guys in this video of course... what I just watched is a whole new level of crazy. There's always some bigger/badder (dumber?) fish in the ocean it seems..

[@Krondelo]

Dang just getting into that spot is way too sketchy for me. I mean yeah it's not AS hard as it looks, but the mental aspect of it.. one mistake and you could fall all the way down and bounce off the rocks below!

[@tomkennedy8617]

+Krondelo It's harder than it looks.

[@Krondelo]

Tom Kennedy Yeah I can agree with that.

[@leoingson]

Yep, always harder than you can catch on film.

[@strikerbowls791]

@@tomkennedy8617 nah

[@at6686]

Good to be sponsored when sharpening the edges on rocks.

[@federicomarmolejo1952]

Great video by super skill skiers, however a simple crash in that terrain against a rock on the head with no helmet and is game over. mega risky, thank you for the video!!!

[@MrGriff4256]

Unbelievable entry. The Y Couloir itself didn't look to hairy, but that entry was like, 60degrees of rock and fluff. No way.

[@TheNWaite]

They seemed to have redefined ''cliff'' in this vid.

[@TheGroin38]

Hey hey, that's what i did a few years ago ! And i had to do a turn-around like him at the same place, with no ice axe...i can still feel this fear 5 years later ! Les Trifides 1, 2 ou 3, cela dépend surtout des conditions du jour...c'est le début du ski extrême !

[@andywalker1871]

FUCK. THAT. Shows just quite how boss McIntosh is.

[@williameberle4250]

good to see some folks who know how to ski.

[@gordonanderson3111]

Beyond sick... this is healing! Thankyou mucho macho much.

[@derekcote9705]

Thats why ones a guide and ones a pro., i don't fit either of those categories.

[@jasonfrost5025]

Hi 4 years ago. They're both just as good. Just because one took a different line and hit an odd bump at 150,000mph doesn't mean one isn't 'as good.'

[@francescoanzani13]

It's crazy😮i love ski extreme

[@henrygonzalez3842]

Wow that’s got to be high 50 degree slope

[@manboy4679]

Now my palms and feet are sweating.

[@VisserJoost]

Ian is one of worlds greatest...

[@Killemgrillem00]

Why would the one dude not wear a helmet >??? Great shot..

[@edgieb]

+Dave Schleifer because he's a french guide, sunnies and headbands are mandatory... and it would mess up his hair and stop his forehead getting tanned

[@edgieb]

+GUIDESPERSPECTIVE it was a joke you moron. he is obviously a solid guide othrrwise the production team woulnt have hired him.

[@edgieb]

+GUIDESPERSPECTIVE ok moron is a bit harsh but did you really think i believe sunnies and headbands are mandatory for french guides. come on.

[@GUIDESPERSPECTIVE]

+edgieb Yeah, I caught your sarcasm, but all kidding aside, I would say that most French Guides roll with sunnies and headbands, even when it's puking out.

[@SamClarkschannel]

+edgieb He's too emotional not to be connected to this guy. Probably his brother lol.

[@marcograndi39]

that kick turn isnt simple

[@MrMountain707]

Metal AF

[@randyrobertson6116]

You know you're in some serious steep Terrain when you extend your arm out and it only goes halfway and you touch the slope you guys are crazy certified

[@TroutOffTheGrid]

I never knew that Spicoli skied.

[@indacox9656]

Extreme danger line !

[@douglastaylor6829]

Great line guys!

[@robertanderson1043]

This would be a blue run at my home shred spot in the Poconos.

[@markduckmanton4227]

I normally do a blue,couple of reds,another blue, then some lunch, a couple of beers, pudding,coffee and a brandy. I don’t think these guys would let me ski with them. Oh to be young again...

[@Powderextremeverbier]

Great footage Ian!

[@robbygoode4299]

thats badass.

[@benjo33]

Great video all around

[@gravitykingproductions]

Rad line!

[@t_c5266]

I would try these lines if i had 5 extra pairs of skis im willing to core-shot

[@caelmc5074]

My dads name is Ian Mcintosh (Im Cael Mcintosh) there is a picture of my dad with this Ian Mcintosh

[@la-grave]

ok boomer

[@shorty123492]

looks like fun to me ,

[@jt8251]

Who is the smart fella without a helmet?

[@DirtyOldMountainGoat]

Ya, bad ass craziness

[@MILANKOBARPERCHEPOLIS]

magnifique couloir...!!

[@therockiesfan3]

Show us the goprooooooo footaggeeeee

[@Marc-nc9yv]

these guys are f#cking crazy

[@johntoth9150]

awesome!!!!

[@animeisagoat2551]

John Toth vcamari 🏄🏼‍♀️

[@riverpuryear3509]

Like the goggles

[@ernestjoyner1553]

ya dont need a helmet if you bust all your other bones.............

[@MegaBanne]

What!?

[@raquellopez3717]

Que Locura!!!

[@alexklick4836]

120 mph? Maybe, maybe 120 kph, no way he was going that fast.. Guys doing tucks on world cup downhill courses with skis that are super stable and have specific wax that minimizes resistance only hit around 90 mph. How does he go thru 6 inches of powder at 120 mph? I call bs.

[@ewanharvey8924]

+Alex Klick They ski a pisted, world class groomed slope - its downHILL. this is all MOUNTAIN skiing.

[@JimB-iq7el]

Karma Capitalist yeah it's called exaggeration

[@michaely6106]

I would definitely believe 120mph(193kph). I've personally gone 125kph on my snowboard on a "blue run" and I didn't even try to go my fastest. And that's only recorded, things can go much faster on steep mountain terrain. Where they were, is STEEP. I have no trouble believing 120mph.

[@michaely6106]

Yup, the world record for speed on skis is currently 254.958 km/h (158.424 mph). Much faster than the terminal velocity of a human in free fall. Crazy, crazy stuff

[@PhilippeLarcher]

Maybe the terminal velocity with that kind of aerodynamic suit and the same position would be the same or higher ?

[@lordofnothing255]

Skiing that stuff without a helmet.

[@bobboberson5755]

I ski steeper stuff every day

[@ezpznoob8092]

OK bob

[@blkcoupequattro]

Nothing like rocking your way in there... was this footage shot last year?

[@lukemaenle108]

full sends only

[@cryptoshit9732]

These guys are crazy in the head

[@audas]

Is this a blue, red run or black? Seems harder than a green.

[@MikaelLewisify]

Nucking Futs!!

[@aidangutierrez5736]

OOOOOOOOOO I DONE THIS RUN BEFORE

[@michaelpetraco7051]

That cliff was so tiny I really would like to try that line one dau

[@dougdavis8986]

Tell us another story grandpa.

[@jsimo1431]

what size boards are these guys riding? they look like 160cm.

[@YREHCorp]

skiis

[@jsimo1431]

Hery Ratsimihah - ever hear of slang?

[@chrisbuck98]

no way theyre 160, that would be stupid short for big mountain stuff like this. probably more in the 180 - 190 range

[@megadrop321]

camera makes them look short. Probably 185-190

[@h00db01i]

real _BERGSCHRUND_ hourz whoms'td up?

[@naughteedesign]

vertigo watching this

[@gludeklis]

this is fucking mental

[@SimpleCrazyBOCs]

cool

[@simontrem5215]

Not a so long time ago, you could ski the Y couloir from top, from the traversee above

[@GUIDESPERSPECTIVE]

We skied it directly from the top a few times last year Simon. First time for me in over 10 years of skiing it. So good when you get the direct bonus.

[@charliemccallum7661]

ur sick

[@kpappa]

Crazy for psychological clinic medication.

[@extreme_ryan_delena]

The guide should have skirted that air to lookers right or at least made some speed check turns

[@eraserlaser]

why are people pretending to care that the guide didn't have a helmet...that's his choice, get over it

[@kyotodreams3306]

eraserlaser truth

[@TheNWaite]

On that basis I am assuming you are all for people not wearing seat belts if they don't want to?

[@idido4219]

I laugh because in French "teton" mean nipple. Yes my life is bad.

[@madeinwest-germany1671]

Impressive to watch, but I'd never do that, because ot the risk.

[@flicksta]

Last time I was in La Grave I saw Joe get avalanched in Les Trifides. Fortunately not buried but he was shook up to fuck.

[@charlesgale1998]

Hey hey TGR would you be so kind as to share what that metal song you put in there was?

[@Valient6]

Bro stick a steel cable across that Rocky stuff and bam safe travels to your canyon

[@gregd166]

Everyone watch your step - the helmet police are out in full force. 😨

[@angelieamero2434]

Thats something i'll never do

[@cd8k116]

I can't even land the bigger jumps in the terrain park at Brighton how tf would I do this

[@benhulme7401]

the guide skied the section below the air like a total muppet. He didn't scrub any speed at all and he went skiers right over worst steps .

[@shawnlarock8089]

Sounds like cali surfer dialect

[@maui-maui4011]

I just can't go there, I pay a lot my skies

[@canucksfan7332]

What does gripped mean?

[@nice4807]

that looks like a weak cliff but then again I've never skied la grave