Skier triggers avalanche and rides it out

Being caught in an avalanche is one of a skier's greatest fears but a skilful Canadian man who triggered one has somehow managed to ride through the chaos of tumbling snow and ice unscathed.

Video of the incredible escape was recorded by YouTube user Ritchie Nagle and posted online on Sunday when the incident occurred at Banff, Alberta.

As the skier cuts across a large section of mountain largely devoid of trees snow begins to rapidly cascade down.

As the intensity and volume of the flow quickly increases the skier races down the mountain as fast as he can.

His head-mounted camera shows the snow and ice-blanketed ground cracking beneath his skis as he makes a rapid descent.

After escaping the chaos the man looks back to see the whole side of the mountain moving with snow tumbling down and large trees bent over and swaying.