Canadian Ski News Service – Whistler, B.C.: Extreme skier Brenda Spilker of Bellevue, Wash. says she is “extremely lucky to be alive” following a 50-second “head over heals” tumble down the Harmony Ridge glacier of Whistler Mountain. Spilker claims she was skiing in excess of 120 kilometers an hour at the time of the crash.

She says she was practicing for an appearance in the upcoming Warren Miller ski video – Over the Hill and Beyond.

“It was a beautiful run,” Spilker claims. “All of a sudden, I saw out of the corner of my eye what I’m sure was an orange whistler marmot. He was paralyzed with fear. All he could do was whistle at me. I swerved fast and went over a 50-foot cliff. If I had run over the little guy, he’d just be nothing more than a puddle of Hamburger Helper. I don’t remember what happened next.”

Dr. I.M Doughter of the Whistler Regional Hospital, who treated Spilker, says he’s never heard of anyone surviving an accident on that section of the ridge at those speeds. “Makes you wonder what really happened,” he says. “A most incredible story. What’s an orange whistler marmot? And what’s he doing out in the middle of winter—practicing for the bobsled team?”

Another skier challenged Spilker’s sketchy recollection of the accident. “I saw her go down one of the beginner runs,” says Bob Spencer of Calgary. “She collided with a six year old. Both were oblivious to the world. I mean they were both checked out. I didn’t know you could get hurt going so slow.”