Robb Gaffney Ski Highlights

A glimpse back at my brother's ski film career, this edit only played publicly prior to an MSP Films' premiere of "The Land of Giants" in Olympic Valley. Our lengthy career of shooting together resulted in a whole lot of footage from Adrenaline Descents in 1992 through Ski Movie II to G.N.A.R in 2010., so this is obviously only scratching the surface. There are some really good film lines missing (like Robb's first ski descent of Tahoe's Tom Burt Spines), and Robb probably would have argued that his greatest big mountain skiing came post-film career, but either way, it's certainly not too shabby for a doctor. Robb was rowdy but calculated, kinda pro but all soul, progressive yet old school, and, as I said it in Walls of Freedom, he was "as smooth as they come." His passion for skiing overflowed until the day he lost his four year battle with cancer on September 22, 2023.
Footage from the films:
Adrenaline Descents (1992)
The Edge of Existence (1993)
Walls of Freedom (1995)
breathe (1997)
1999 (1999)
Ski Movie II: High Society (2001)
Immersion (2002)
G.N.A.R.: The Movie (2010)
Backed by the sounds of David Gilmour, one of the last concerts Robb ever saw.

[@maxwellsinopoli7232]

Robb was always my favorite skier to watch. Super smooth. When i lived in Tahoe on nights before a powder day we always watched 1999 to get fired up.

[@roopskee17]

He truly was amazing at what he did. What a great watch. Thank you for sharing.

[@spacecarpenter1265]

"Always nice to see a little Big Tupper kid rippin up Colorado like that." Breathe is still my fav ski movie ever.

[@scottgaffney7879]

Keep an eye out--I'll get breathe up on RUclips soon.

[@alexsanchezch]

Your brother was an inspiration. Thank you for sharing Scott

[@donh3590]

epic life. rip

[@alisonchristie5338]

A phenomenal encapsulation of the magic of a life well lived.

[@julian_carr]

Amazing human. Spread eagle at 3:04 though. Much love

[@scottgaffney7879]

He hung that one out there. Notice how every spread eagle/crotch grab he did, he popped out of my frame? They gave him extra lift!

[@KolinEllenPowick]

sorry for your/our loss... all the way back from Adrnaline Descents...great memories...

[@anderssoyland]

True Legend

[@StoneyMcBonk]

Shine on!

[@vashusan1984]

Simply amazing skiing.

[@danchirpich8592]

Love it! I signed into a register in the high Sierra for him last weekend before a lovely 5k descent.

[@BoolaBear]

Really great skiing.

[@DaveWestall]

Robb is as smooth as they get. Love and light to the Gaffney's and everyone that was inspired by this beast of a human! Amazing tribute Scott, thank you.

[@BIGSKIGUY]

Can't remember how many times I watched 1999 with my friends in high school - Ski in Peace Robb

[@NicholasMarchitto]

So graceful on the skis....Legends never die.

[@sammcdaniel1564]

Wow incredible skiing. So smooth.

[@tubetauk]

Thank you Scott. Robb will be missed.

[@94mandydallas]

Perfect timing...I was just getting my daily sadness on ❤

[@danielmitchell4304]

Scott and Robb were the reason I returned to skiing from snowboarding and still live in Bozeman. 1999 is my "most iconic ski film." Great tribute, thanks for posting.

[@BrettMcNary]

You're both lucky to have such a great brother.

[@snowrider100]

💞🤺

[@bonestrex5439]

I’ve been listening to shine on you crazy diamond like crazy recently, and then this video popped up. Absolutely amazing of you Scott, Robb was a great skier

[@mattstanley6536]

"... Scott Gaffney truly has a bro worth giving props to: his younger brother Dr. Robb Gaffney."

[@scottgaffney7879]

Did you just quote yourself? 😜

[@patrickchase1884]

Wait, is he guiding his kid on a tether through the Fingers at 3:00!?
Gotta love the "radness yell" at 3:55. I guess if you're gonna drop _that_ line you're entitled.
And his Kirkwood line from GNAR was a great one to end on. He showed all the kids how it's done that day.

[@scottgaffney7879]

That tethered shot was a doll. He just decided it would be fun to freak people out one day, and sure enough, it worked. And that wasn't a radness yell; that was the film era when every 3 mins cost $110, so you simply had to give the camera person a heads up right when you were about to drop. The was no "roll and see what happens."

[@JustinBabzz]

Such an inspiration in my life. Thanks for sharing

[@MykThornton29]

I loved the memorial tribute you did last month for him, and extremely sorry for your loss. The highlight reel needed to happen. God, that man had Balls of Steel!!!

[@Dmaze652]

Great video Scott

[@MrKendrickLlama]

nice video to start the morning, thank you

[@batman50ish]

Flawless technique, immpecable style and cajones the size of coconuts, Robb should have recieved every bit as much attention as Schmidt and Shane as one of the "best of the best"... not just in the Valley, but worldwide. Thanks Scott, for another heartfeldt homage to your Bro!

[@scottgaffney7879]

He wasn't all too concerned about the pro skier thing. He just wanted to ski, and the minor recognition he got helped facilitate that a little bit, and that was all he needed to be content.

[@matt10002]

I can't think of any better way to start my day than by watching this. This is awesome. Shine on you crazy diamond.

[@ashtonsuire8836]

Thank you for all the inspiration

[@pelletiernicole72]

Your whole family has been on my mind so much, Scott. I love this incredible footage, Robb was such a grounded but hilarious guy...and MAN what an athlete!! Looking forward to making some turns in his honor soon. Sending love from Utah!

[@scottgaffney7879]

Thank you, Nicole!

[@bensanford478]

What an amazing tribute💠

[@saragalica787]

Beautiful Scott. Miss him. And all of you!

[@sc9160]

Thanks for putting this together. ❤

[@Ok-551]

Ripper

[@howardhues87]

[@ContrariansQuandary]

No regrets… No way…

[@angusmcdugal1]

Thank you Scott for this incredible tribute. Shine on you crazy diamond . . . what a great choice!