text: Point of view footage captured the terrifying moment a skier became caught up in an avalanche. Skiing with a friend in Revelstoke, Canada, Zach Birnie stands at the top of a mountain and films the surrounding scenery with a camera mounted to his helmet. After exhaling air, he begins to make his descent of the off-piste section of slope in a rather slow and cautious manner. Skiing off to the right, the man makes a controlled turn and begins heading back across the mountain – thick snow can be seen burying his skis. Suddenly he begins panic and while not entirely visible to the camera, a minor avalanche occurs behind him. Panicking, the man attempts to come to a stop, but the heavy snow continues to push him down the mountain. Zach Birnie stands at the top of a mountain with a friend and films the surrounding scenery with a camera mounted to his helmet . He begins shouting, which he later explains alongside the original upload of the video, was his way of making sure his friend knew what was happening. Suddenly the skier can be seen falling to the floor as heavy snow closes in around him and in a matter of moments he is completely submerged. What follows is hazy footage of a terrifying scuffle as the skier attempts to find the surface of the snow. Before too long the skier re-emerges – panting in shock as he catches his breath. The man begins skiing off to the right before making a controlled turn and heading back across the mountain . Suddenly the skier can be seen falling to the floor as heavy snow from the off-piste slope closes in around him . The skier, who was lucky to escape serious injury, later discussed the incident online. He wrote: ‘[I] pulled my shoulder slightly, lost a pole, best, worst case scenario for sure.’ Discussing the incident, Cornelia Accola from the WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF spoke to MailOnline. She stated that while it is not easy to see why the avalanche occurred from the video, the amount of fresh snow and steep terrain could be to blame. In a matter of moments the skier, who shouts for his friend's assistance, is entirely trapped beneath the snow . Re-emerging not too long after disappearing, the skier pants in shock as he attempts to get his breath back . She also gave advice on what to do should you find yourself in a similar situations. 'If you are caught in such an avalanche then try to escape out of the avalanche area,' said Ms Accola. Let go of your ski poles, try to open your bindings, (rarely possible) pull your knees toward your chest and hold your arms in front of your face.'
target: Zach Birnie films his descent of mountain with a helmet-mounted camera .
  Snow begins falling around skier while he negotiates the off-piste slope .
  After being buried alive Zach manages to fight himself free from the snow .
  The terrifying incident occurred on the slopes in Revelstoke, Canada .