Dan TreadwayMetal meets metal in the B.C. backcountry.

Dan Treadway has a habit of "being there" when memorable events take place in the mountains. Most times though, the memorable event happens to be a hairball line Dan's dropping, be it on skis or his sled. But, during the recent high-security Olympic hoopla on Treadway's home turf in B.C., the 33 year-old was privy to a weird one: an intense fly-by from a Canadian military helicopter in the middle of nowhere. We checked in with the Pemberton loc for the low-down on his unexpected bro down.

ESPN: Where were you when the army buzzed you and what were you guys doing?

Dan Treadway: There was a big group of us, probably about 20 in total, and we were hanging out a place known as The Gas Drop on the Rutherford [Glacier]. It was the end of the day and we were just chilling out having a beer.

Is there anything special or tactical about that glacier that would require a military patrol?

We were approximately 50 kms from any Olympic event so, unless the terrorists were setting up a rocket launcher, I can't imagine there was any threat where we were ...

Are regular heli-ski choppers common in that area?

Whistler Heliskiing has tenure in the area and are seen flying around the Rutherford frequently.

Tell us what the army guy did when they buzzed you?

The heli flew by fairly high above the glacier. When they saw us they banked and came around for a closer look [and] came in low and fast. We were all laughing that they were coming to harass us about being terrorists. When they got over us, only about 50 feet off the ground, the heli banked hard. I was standing on my sled giving the pilot the banger wave [ed. aka the metal horns aka the heavy metal shaka] and, as they came around, the gunner -- who was strapped in by a harness -- was hanging out the open door giving the horns back.

What do you think of Ronnie James Dio's claims that he essentially invented the metal horns?

I didn't watch the YouTube, but if Ronnie claims he invented the metal horns I'd say it's legit as he kinda invented metal as well.

Sounds like you do a lot of work with Ski-Doo. What's your role with them and how does it fit in with your skiing career?

I started filming for snowmobile movies like Slednecks five years ago and have been dividing my time between skiing and sledding since. Ski-Doo has stepped up and signed me as their first sponsored backcountry rider.

Any big plans for the rest of the season?

Off to West Yellowstone to ride with Ski-Doo people this weekend. Then a heli trip to the Annapurna/Everest Valley in Nepal at the end of the month. Then driving to AK for the spring.

How's life in and around Whistler now that the Olympics have peaced out?

Whistler is dead. If you want good skiing at Whistler I think the next two months will be the quietest for the next 100 years.