Alpine

Remembering Ronnie Berlack and Bryce Astle
by
USSA
2016-01-05 08:12
Jan. 5, 2016 marks the one-year anniversary of the tragic deaths of Ronnie Berlack and Bryce Astle in an avalanche.
 

PARK CITY, UT (Jan. 5, 2016) – January 5, 2016 marks the one-year anniversary of the tragic deaths of U.S. Ski Team athletes Ronnie Berlack (Franconia, NH) and Bryce Astle (Sandy, UT), who were killed in an avalanche in Austria. In the year since their death, the ski racing community has learned more about the dangers of avalanches in order to prevent similar situations.

The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA)—the parent organization of the U.S. Ski Team—has been working with The Avalanche Project to create awareness about the importance of avalanche education. This has been a joint effort of the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) and regional organizations.

Teammates, friends and family will honor their fallen friends today and hope that everyone continues to teach themselves about the dangers of avalanches. #skiersforsafety

 

 

@bryce_astle #stilltrending #goodvibesonly and please follow @avalancheproject #avyproject

A video posted by Slalom Tokyo Drift (@slalomtokyodrift) on

 

@ronnieberlack #stilltrending @avalancheproject #avyproject

A photo posted by Slalom Tokyo Drift (@slalomtokyodrift) on

 

Ronnie and Bryce thinking of you two #forevertrending #goodvibesonly #avyproject @avproject

A photo posted by Steven Nyman (@steven_nyman) on

 

"Our dead are never dead to us, until we have forgotten them." : George Eliot #goodvibesonly #stilltrending

A photo posted by Breezy Johnson (@breezyjohnsonski) on

 

You were one of the first people to talk to me, the new kid, when I got to Burke. Immediately, even though you were...

Posted by Hig Roberts on Tuesday, January 5, 2016

 

"Still sending it". Our thoughts are with Ronnie and the Berlack family today. #Ronnie #djiceman #BMA #alwayshappy

Posted by Burke Mountain Academy on Tuesday, January 5, 2016

 

 

One year ago we lost two of ski racings rising stars, Ronnie Berlack and Bryce Astle, to an avalanche. Their friends, families, and teammates miss them everyday. I miss Ronnie's individuality and seeing him in the Center of Excellence with his work out gloves throwing up huge weight. I miss coming down a GS course, seeing the times, and saying, "who the hell is this Bryce kid? And how is he beating me by over a second?" Those two were so passionate about skiing and it was a joy getting to know them as they were climbing the ranks in the US ski team. From their legacy we can also take away how important it is to know avalanche safety techniques. Take a class, know the snow reports, and decide if it's truly worth skiing or riding. We'll always remember you Ronnie and Bryce, and tomorrow the US boys will channel your passion for skiing and lay it down in the World Cup slalom here on Santa Caterina! #ronnieberlack #bryceastle #forevertrending #skiersforsafety #avyproject @avalancheproject

A photo posted by Michael Ankeny (@michael_ankeny) on

 

#squad #ronnieberlack #bryceastle #forevertrending #

A photo posted by Erik Arvidsson (@erik_arvidsson) on

I believe it is human nature to want to be connected to something greater than ourselves as individuals. That’s why we become passionate about our local communities, countries, and sports teams. These communities create bonds between people that transcend small talk and instantly connect us on a deeper emotional level. Some of the best conversation starters no matter where I go in the world, start when I wear my Altaholics t-shirt. People will say, “I used to work at the GMD.” “I moved to Alta in 1991, operated snowcats, skied the best powder of my life, and ate tacos in a bag.” “Do you know Lee Cohen?” The LCC ski community is where I find my identity, I didn't know Bryce Astle for long, maybe only a couple of years. He was quite a bit younger than me. I met him when he came to Mt. Hood to work in the Tecnica/Blizzard demo center. We were sitting around talking about skiing. We talked about our favorite double fall lines, jumps from Zoom to the Race Hill, and of course the original dogger Vinny. When I first saw Bryce ski, it brought a smile to my face. He was mind blowing good and it brought me home. Bryce's greasy style was not his own, it was Ryan Wolosyn’s, Brock Howell’s, and Ben Readers before that. The way he drove his knees was Brennan Rubies and Carter Gregory’s. His rhythm was to the lead of Angel Collinson’s dance and the confidence in his skiing was Ryan Pearl’s. Bryce's touch on the snow was reminiscent of Libby Biittner, Steve Putnam, and the great Steve Bounous. His passion was SBSEF and LCC, but the expression was his alone. The silver lining in death is how it brings communities together and we will #neverforget #goodvibesonly and ski on for Bryce! - words of @marcuscaston

A photo posted by Blizzard Skis (@blizzardskis) on

Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there; I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning's hush I am the swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry; I am not there; I did not die. -Mary Elizabeth Frye. Training today in Austria one year later. We felt you guys out there all around us today. Avalanches are a scary part of existing in the mountains. They are also something that most ski racers (myself included) don't know much about. Theavalancheproject.org and @avalancheproject is creating an avenue to help get skiers informed. #ripbarb #bryceastle #ronnieberlack

A photo posted by Kieffer Christianson (@kieffer_c) on

It's been a year now since we lost our buddies Ronnie and Bryce. I remember the exact moment I heard the news and the immediate sick feeling I had in my stomach, and overall disbelief that something like that could happen to such good kids that knew their way around a mountain. I remember Ronnie was the funniest dude and constantly had me laughing every time I was around him. Bryce was the nicest guy and really had a good idea of what living life to the fullest was all about. Avy education is Important – If you ski or ride in the mountains, you need to know about avalanches. You need to know EVERYTHING about them! It only takes one risky decision or intelligent decision to turn a potentially tragic day into a fun experience and lasting memory. Take an avy class and wear a beacon on a powder day! Go to www.theavalancheproject.org @avalancheproject #skiersforsafety #ronnieandbryce

A photo posted by Jared Goldberg (@jaredgoldberg) on

 


 


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