http://mpora.com/videos/Jtz8Indal Elias Elhardt had a pretty killer season this year, winning the 4-star Pleasure Jam, and putting out a sick part with the Pirates. He even got to shred pow with his hero Nicolas Muller for our exclusive Day in the Life Webisode (which you can watch here). In fact, everything was going swimmingly for the young shredder – that is until this slam.

Elias sent us this account of what happened: “Right after the European Open I started filming in the backcountry. I started off with one day in Laax with Nico Muller. It was super cool! Since I started snowboarding I’ve looked up to him for his passionate riding style. To go shred powder with Nicolas was like a kid’s dream coming true.

“Then after that I went back to film with Rip Curl and the Pirates crew. It was soo nice being out there in the powder again. I love it! But since I started filming last year I also realised how hard it is to handle all that risk being involved in the game. Avalanches, hidden rocks, flat landings and bomb holes are part of filming in the backcountry, especially when you want to go for sick shots.

“After about two weeks filming and good sessions playing with tricky weather and waiting for good conditions, the sky opened up and we had fresh snow. During one of those filming days I dropped in for a cliff, but it turned out to be my last drop in of the season.

“My idea was to make it to the left and land in the fresh powder… but I guess, that’s the difference between ideas and reality. I jumped straighter than I planned out and landed way lower, caught a bomb hole and compressed my ankle hard. I’ve been out for 6 weeks now and will be out for another 6. The specialists were pretty positive on the fact I didn’t need surgery and that it would come back as strong as it ever been.

“Since I need a break I’ll take a holiday – probably south-east Asia cos I won a trip to Bali as a prize for best trick at the Pleasure Jam. After that I plan on riding throughout the whole summer most probably heading to Camp of Champions – followed by a couple trips in the Southern Hemisphere. So now I’m really, really looking forward to the next couple of months ;-) I guess, life can’t always be just great… otherwise good times wouldn’t be so special any more.”

We’re glad you can be that philosophical about it Elias, cos this looks painful as hell! As the cameraman says: “Oh fuck! So screwed!”