Skier's Amazing Avalanche Cliff Jump

To experience the thrill of skiing down steep virgin powder and launching from a cliff with an avalanche in pursuit, watch the video. You'll undoubtedly get a feel for what it was like for Matthias Giraud to have done just that, thanks to high-definition GoPro helmet-cams worn by the athlete and his partner, Stefan Laude, during a carefully planned stunt recently in the French Alps.

Giraud, on his website, explains that he and Laude -- both expert skiers and skydivers; Laude is a local ski patrolman -- wore avalanche location devices and had a helicopter rescue team on standby. Laude was parachuting and filming from overhead as Giraud skied the ridge line leading to the cliff. He deployed his chute as snow spilled over the ledge to his right.

The video production illustrates with stunning imagery that because of improving technology and the increasing use of miniature helmet-cams by extreme athletes, viewers are able to enjoy more vicarious thrills.

Said Giraud: "It was probably the best run of my life."

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