David Shelby
Background
David Shelby is a millionaire businessman. He is the son of Florence Shelby and was formerly married to Caroline Brace. David Shelby owns the Windom Peak ski resort.
During the events of Avalanche (1978) played by Rock Hudson
David greets Caroline when she arrives for the grand opening of his ski resort. Before they can have lunch he is cornered by Nick Thorne who tells him he is cutting down too many trees which is making the area unsafe. David and Phil Prentiss then argue with Nick about the conditions of the snow. At the opening dinner, David becomes jealous when Caroline invites Nick to dance. When the plane carrying Marty Brenner crashes into the side of the mountain, it causes an avalanche. David is watching a ice skating performance being performed by Cathy Jordan when the avalanche hits the resort. He runs to the resort and is given an assessment of the situation by Susan Maxwell. he quickly gives orders to Steve and Phil and further coordinates the efforts to free those stuck inside including his mother and Henry McDade. After his mother and Henry are rescued he coordinates with Charlie to rescue anyone stuck on the ski lifts. He covers Jason's face when Mark Elliott falls to his death from the ski lift. When he goes to find out if the ambulance that was carrying his mother and Caroline is okay, he finds Caroline dangling from a piece of a bridge and the ambulance carrying his mother crashed at the bottom of a ravine. With help from Nick, David rescues Caroline. Back at the resort, Caroline brings David a bottle of champagne and he tells her all of the deaths are his fault. She tells him she loves him, but she has to go and leaves.
