{"id":559547,"date":"2026-03-25T10:47:12","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T10:47:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/559547\/"},"modified":"2026-03-25T10:47:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T10:47:12","slug":"skier-and-filmmaker-kai-smart-passes-away-after-avalanche-burial-in-japan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/559547\/","title":{"rendered":"Skier and Filmmaker Kai Smart Passes Away After Avalanche Burial in Japan"},"content":{"rendered":"

The snowsports community has suffered a tragic loss. Whistler skier Kai Smart, 23, has passed away after being buried in an avalanche<\/a> in Japan earlier this month.<\/p>\n

Kai\u2019s father John Smart made the announcement on Instagram<\/a> Tuesday. \u201cIt is with immense sadness that we have to let you know that our kind, brave and beautiful son and brother Kai is no longer with us,\u201d he wrote. \u201cWe are beyond heartbroken and there are no words to describe the pain we are feeling losing him so young.\u201d<\/p>\n

As John went on to explain, they were able to fly Kai from Japan to Vancouver General Hospital in an air ambulance Thursday. However, they soon learned that severe lack of oxygen during the avalanche \u201chad destroyed any chance of recovery.\u201d Kai\u2019s family said their final farewells to him last night.<\/p>\n

\u201cKai was a warrior, a mountain man, an explorer of the world, a lover of people of all walks of life, an inspiration to so many, an honour student, a passionate skier, surfer, dirt biker, climber, kitesurfer and so much more,\u201d continued John. \u201cHe lived life to the fullest every single day, with joy, curiosity, and intensity, and experienced more in his short time than most do in a lifetime. He truly was a bright light, and his energy \u2014 his excitement for life and for learning \u2014 touched everyone who knew him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was always searching for the road less travelled, drawn to new places, new ideas, and new experiences. When he wasn\u2019t outside pushing his limits, he was constantly learning, researching, and engaging with the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kai had recently finished his first ski film, Tien Shan Dream.<\/a> The project followed a two-week ski traverse in the Tien Shan mountains, along the border of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, connecting two remote scientific research stations. The project remains a testament to the spirit of adventure and empathy that made him a beloved figure in the skiing community.<\/p>\n