La Grave, FR - Extreme skier and founder of Valdez Heli-Ski Guides Doug Coombs was reportedly killed in an avalanche while skiing in his adopted home of La Grave, France yesterday. Little is known about the circumstances surrounding Coombs death. Information will be posted on thid site as we learn more.

Coombs was a pioneer of big mountain skiing. A competitor in the first ever World Extreme Skiing Championships in Valdez, AK back in 1991, Coombs went on to make first ascents all through the Chugach. In 1993 he and his wife Emily founded Valdez Heli-Ski Guides, one of the preminent guide services in Alaska. Doug and Emily's other venture, Steep Skiing Camps, moved to Europe in 1997, dropping peaks in Verbier and La Grave. Coombs will be greatly missed.