Latest news with #StellarHeliSkiing
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Yahoo
Almost $610,000 raised for families of victims and survivor of Kaslo avalanche
A total of almost $610,000 has been raised for the families of victims and the survivor of a deadly avalanche near Kaslo on March 24. Jason Remple, 53, from Kaslo, Jeff Keenan, 44, from Whistler, Alex Pashley, 45, from Idaho and Clay Mitchell from Nelson were in a group when they were struck by an avalanche as they waited to be picked up by a Stellar Heli Skiing helicopter. Remple owned Stellar Heli Skiing and was the lead guide on the day of the tragedy. A second group, including Keenan's wife, was able to get out of the way of the avalanche as it cascaded down. The accident occurred within Stellar's tenure in the Clute Creek watershed. Remple, Keenan and Pashley died at the scene from their injuries, while Mitchell was taken to hospital by helicopter in critical condition. All four were heavily involved in snowboarding. As of April 6, through GoFundMe campaigns, $389,000 has been raised for Keenan's wife and two-year-old son, $73,000 for Remple's wife Kerry and their three children and $149,000 for Mitchell and his wife and two children. A food train has been set up for Pashley's wife Erin. According to the GoFundMe page, Mitchell is no longer in critical condition after undergoing several surgeries on his damaged legs. In January 2023, two off-duty Nelson Police Department officers died following an avalanche north of Kaslo. In January 2002, three American skiers died in an avalanche near Kaslo. And in January 1998, six skiers died in an avalanche near Kaslo. dcarrigg@ Heli-skiing company owner and two veteran snowboarders die in Kootenays avalanche 'Be prepared': After recent avalanche fatalities in B.C. Rockies, caution urged in backcountry
CBC
27-03-2025
- General
- CBC
'Beyond devastating': Tributes pour in for 3 heli-skiers killed in southeastern B.C. avalanche
Tributes are pouring in for three heli-skiers who died Monday after an avalanche in southeastern B.C. swept them away. Family and colleagues have identified two of the skiers as 44-year-old Jeff Keenan of Whistler and 45-year-old Alex Pashley of Idaho, who were both beloved and well-known members of the skiing and snowboarding communities. "This is absolutely beyond devastating," said Keenan's partner Leanne Pelosi, who has a young boy with Keenan, in a social media post Wednesday. "I'm forever grateful to eternity for the depth of love I got to experience. 20+ years of pure love and adventure before welcoming our first child." The skiers were on a guided tour in the Purcell Mountains run by Stellar Heli Skiing. The identity of the third man who died in the avalanche, a 53-year-old guide from Kaslo, has not yet been officially confirmed. WATCH | Avalanche claims 3 lives: 3 heli-skiers killed after deadly avalanche in B.C. Kootenays | Hanomansing Tonight 1 day ago Duration 7:54 Three heli-skiers were killed and another was critically injured Monday after an avalanche in southeastern B.C. swept them away, according to RCMP. Mark Jennings-Bates, the manager of Kaslo Search and Rescue, speaks to host Ian Hanomansing about his group's rescue efforts. 'Incredibly difficult time' RCMP say the avalanche occurred around the village of Kaslo, on the west side of Kootenay Lake, at about 1 p.m. PT on Monday. Police say two groups of skiers had just finished skiing a bowl and were waiting in a staging area below the tree line of the Clute Creek watershed. A transport helicopter was nearing the group when the pilot observed an avalanche and sounded the siren. One group of skiers was able to get out of the way, but the other group was swept away into the tree line, RCMP say. Three skiers were found dead, according to Mounties. A fourth person, a 40-year-old man from Nelson, was critically injured, police say. "The entire team at Stellar Heli Skiing extends its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those affected by this tragedy. Our thoughts remain with them during this incredibly difficult time," the company said in a statement. Pillars of the community Keenan co-founded a snowboard company called Dinosaurs Will Die and helped define the snowboarding landscape in the 1990s and 2000s, according to the Mount Seymour Resort. The resort said Keenan spent his younger days at the resort as part of the "Skids," or Seymour Kids. "Jeff will be missed, but his spirit will ride on," the resort wrote on social media. Pashley was a photographer and global sports marketing manager at The North Face. "We're heartbroken to share the loss of our friend and colleague. Alex Pashley's curiosity and kindness left a mark on everyone who had the privilege of working, riding, and running alongside him," the company said on Instagram. "Pashley brought an irreplaceable sense of levity to the most difficult expeditions. His search for adventure will forever guide us." 'Tell your friends you love them' On Monday, Avalanche Canada rated the danger in the area around Kootenay Lake as high, from the alpine to below the tree line. "Rising temperatures are creating very dangerous avalanche conditions and terrible riding quality. [There's] no reason to go near avalanche terrain," the forecaster said in its Monday update. Friends, family and the broader skiing and snowboarding community continue to write messages of support and condolences on social media. "Heartbroken doesn't even begin to describe how I feel to share the loss of three key pillars of our community," wrote Jody Wachniak, host of the Air Time snowboarding podcast. "Tell your friends you love them."
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
3 people killed, including American, during avalanche in Canada
Three people were killed, including an American, and a fourth critically injured after a devastating avalanche swept away a group of skiers in Canada, local officials said. The incident unfolded on Monday afternoon, just after two groups of skiers wrapped a run on the east side of Kootenay Lake in the British Columbia backcountry, according to a statement from the Kaslo Royal Canadian Mounted Police. They'd been waiting for a transport helicopter in a staging area below the tree line of Clute Creek water shed when disaster struck around 1 p.m., according CBC. The chopper's pilot 'observed an avalanche and sounded the siren,' the KRCMP said. 'The group of skiers was able to run out of harm's way, while the other group of four was swept away into the tree line.' The avalanche sparked an intense effort to rescue and locate the athletes, but three of them were already dead by the time crews pulled them from the snow. They were identified only as 'a 44-year-old man from Whistler BC, a 45-year-old man from Idaho USA and the 53-year-old guide from Kaslo BC.' Their names have not yet been released. A fourth skier, a 40-year-old man from Nelson, was, meanwhile, found alive but he suffered critical injuries. Mark Jennings-Bates, manager of Kaslo Search and Rescue, described the group as 'very, very proficient' skiers, per The Canadian Press. They'd all been in a region operated by Stellar Heli Skiing, which confirmed the tragedy in a statement. 'The entire team at Stellar Heli Skiing extends its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those affected by this tragedy,' it said. 'Our thoughts remain with them during this incredibly difficult time.'
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Avalanche Claims Lives of Alex Pashley, Jeff Keenan, and Jason Remple
Three beloved members of the snowboarding and skiing community have died in an avalanche in British Keenan, Alex Pashley, and Jason Remple were caught in a slide on Monday, March 24, 2025 north of Kaslo, the Vancouver Sun reported. A fourth person, who is from Nelson, is in critical condition. The slide happened in the Clute Creek 44, cofounded Dinosaurs Will Die with Sean Genovese. He is survived by his fiancé Leanne Pelosi and their son 45, was the global sports marketing manager at The North Face. He is survived by his wife Erin. Remple, 53, started Stellar Heli Skiing in 2005 with his wife Kerry Luckey. They bought the Kaslo Hotel in 2022, the Sun reports. Tributes to the three have poured in from across the snowboarding world. Here are just a few of them: 'We're heartbroken to share the loss of our friend and colleague. Alex Pashley's curiosity and kindness left a mark on everyone who had the privilege of working, riding, and running alongside him. Pashley was an explorer to his core: As a photographer, he captured the nuances that transform a good story into a great one, and was celebrated and showcased across major snowboard publications. And he loved being on a board just as much as being behind the lens, building community through deep powder and big lines.' 'Jeff, you've always been there for me. This is absolutely beyond devastating. Endless gratitude for you showing up in my life in the early 2000s. I'm forever grateful to eternity for the depth of love I got to experience. 20+ years of pure love and adventure before welcoming our first child.' 'Jeff was just setting into his job as a super dad. He was a legend of snowboarding, helping others to reach their potential while reaching his own. His love for Leanne was infectious, his work in snowboarding won't be forgotten. Rest in powder Jeff.''(Jason Remple) and I grew our businesses together over the past 15 years, maybe more. We talked often, and I was always so impressed with what he had accomplished. Guiding, and running a business, and hotel, and a large growing family is a LOT! But Jay seemed to always want to go out on the water or out for a bike ride with friends, always had time for a chat, and was incredibly kind…I'll miss our conversations, your inspiration and wisdom, and spending time with you at Stellar in the mountains. Rest in peace friend, you will be missed.''Pashley was a good friend, and adventurer, a huge supporter of many…and looked good on a ski doo as well. I'm gonna miss you Alex, you lived a hell of a life, and made a large impact on all of us. You will be missed.' 'Heartbroken doesn't even begin to describe how I feel to share the loss of three key pillars of our community in a devastating avalanche yesterday.' 'There are some people who when they enter the room, their energy becomes THE energy. Alex Pashley was said people. He didn't have a zest for life. Pashley was wholly infected with LIVING. A light beam leprechaun of awesome. You left an interaction with Alex with your tires fully pumped up, only then suddenly aware you'd even had a flat tire. This man loved making people feel good. Lived for it.' 'Jeff, you had an enormous impact on my life and so many others. This isn't fair and nothing will ever be the same again. Thank you for being my friend and thank you for always believing in me. I will miss you so fucking much.' "Rest easy. Lost a few great souls lately. I've always known life is short, but lately, I'm starting to fill it. I'd like to bring more joy into this world like you both did for so many." "Love you Jeff. You inspired me so much and always will. Your smile, laughter, and warm spirit was contagious. Forever grateful for our time together and to be your friend." 'We're going to miss you, Jeff. You did so much for so many people, both inside and outside of snowboarding. You kept us laughing and smiling every time we crossed paths and worked together.'
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Yahoo
Ski Industry Mourns the Loss of Three Lives Following Disastrous Avalanche
The ski industry is reeling following the death of three valued members of the community on Monday, March 24, to the Royal Canadian Mountain Police (RCMP), three skiers were caught in a naturally-triggered avalanche near the village of Kaslo, on the west side of Kootenay Lake in British Columbia. Two skiers and a guide with Stellar Heli Skiing were the Heli has confirmed that the skiers were in the Clute Creek watershed, a zone that the heli ski outfit frequents. Stellar also confirmed that one skier was rescued from the slide with significant injuries. The bodies of the deceased have since been recovered by Kaslo Search and victims have been identified as: Jeff Keenan, a 44-year-old pro snowboarder and co-founder of the brand 'Dinosaurs Will Die' from Pashley, a 45-year-old man from Idaho who was The North Face's Global Sports Marketing Manager (Snow).Jason Remple, a 53-year-old professional ski guide and owner of Stellar Heli RCMP is still investigating the cause of the avalanche at this time. Avalanche danger is rated as Level 4-High, across most of British Columbia, today, March 26, 2025. Avalanche Canada has revealed that the avalanche was a Size 3, persistent slab on a West-Northwest facing aspect. The slide was triggered at 2300m (7,500ft) of elevation. The observation report has a small summary of what occurred:"While waiting at the pickup location, a heli-ski group was hit from above by a natural avalanche. Three members of the group did not survive, and a fourth was critically injured. This report may be updated if relevant information becomes available."Tributes are pouring in from across the ski and snowboard industry for the loss of life. It's clear that Keenan, Pashley, and Remple had a profound impact on the people they extends its thoughts and condolences to the friends and family of the deceased during this difficult time. We're with you.
