大象传媒

How do you channel the passion, determination and fortitude to achieve something knowing you've lost friends doing the same thing?

Professional skier Cody Townsend has lost many friends on the mountains he鈥檚 skiing down as he attempts to climb and ski all the routes detailed in the book, 鈥淭he Fifty Classic Ski Descents of North America鈥�.

They're some of the most dangerous slopes on the continent and he鈥檚 documented the 46 he鈥檚 completed so far in a video series 鈥� but although the videos have stopped, that doesn鈥檛 mean the challenge attempt is finished.

Townsend tells Sportshour鈥檚 Caroline Barker about the risks, the rewards and the rules he sets himself when he skis... an experience he wouldn鈥檛 trade, even for Olympic gold.

Image: Cody Townsend skiing down a mountain with rockfaces on either side. (Credit: Summit Lunch Productions)