That's an RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) 350B3, and you may be correct that he could have done the hover exit parallel to the ridge. In most cases, the hook may be forced up into the belly on a sharp ridge landing (but no hook seems to be installed here). A balanced landing on the ridge also may be in order, and would have raised the blades off the ridge, and give Mr Thong a bit more room.
I'd have done a similar landing to the pilot, and never would even think of shutting down on that type of snowpack and ridge.
Regardless, great picture, no one got hurt, so successful day.