CNN iReport

TGR’s International Pro Rider Workshop is Running December 15th to December 17th at Grand Targhee Ski Resort. Teton Gravity Research is one of the worlds's top action sports film companies in the world. Their award winning films have changed the worlds perspective on what is possible on skis and snowboards. While the films are amazing, the dangers associated with making them are also great. Tetongravity.com has also become a major online destination for hardcore skiers and snowboarders. The three day course is a comprehensive avalanche and film safety course lead by Jim Conway. Guest Speakers Bruce Edgerly from Backcountry Access, Dale Atkins from RECCO, and Ski Patroller Kevin Brazell from Jackson Hole Mountain Resort are on hand to work with our team on better preparing us for the hazards we face in the backcountry. This is a unique course in that it is geared towards the situations we put ourselves in as pro riders and filmers.  Over the last thirteen years we have learned a lot about film protocols and riding in wild terrain. Riders in attendance are Sage Cattabriga-Alosa, Jeremy Nobis, Jeremy Jones, Shroder Baker, Dylan Hood, Dash Longe, Rachel Burkes, Todd Legare, Cody Barnhill, and Eric Roner. Production team members include myself, Corey Gavitt, Pete Obrien, Josh Neilsen, Steve Jones, Matt Herriger. Still photographers Greg Epstein, Chris Figenshaw and Mark Fisher are on hand as well.  Also in attendance are the full TGR office and tour staff.  Everyone involved in TGR on a daily basis is here to advance their skills in the mountains.

The course is a mix of classroom discussion and real life field drills. Topics covered include:

Beacon Drills; single and multiple scenarios

Leading your Team through a rescue

Advanced shoveling techniques for victim recovery

Recco Demostration

Advanced rescue teqniques

Protocal for Backcountry Filming in sled access, heli access, foot access and resort access filming

Snowpack evalution techniques including cornice dropping and snowpits

Film Operations and daily safety plans before you go

Insurance for High Risk Professionals

CPR and basic First aid protocols

Line Selection and onslope safety plans.

The course culminates in a comprehensive exam.

One of the more exciting parts of the course is called Defend My Line. Lead by Jeremy Jones, Sage Cattabriga-Alosa, Jeremy Nobis, and Eric Roner, the riders are pulling up lines on the video screen where things went right or wrong. They explain the scenario and then we dive into a Q and A with riders, guides and filmers. This is a great opportunity to take real life scenarios that we have been in and learn from them. We hope to advance our skills as a team and evolve the TGR safety program. It reminds me that we made a great decision on calling this thing Teton Gravity Research as the experiment and research continues.

Author Todd Jones is a co-founder of one of the fastest

growing action sports brands in the world, Teton Gravity Research.

For more info check out tetongravity.com