The ski industry is in shock following the tragic loss of three respected community members on Monday, March 24, 2025.
According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), a naturally-triggered avalanche near Kaslo, on the west side of Kootenay Lake in British Columbia, claimed the lives of three skiers. The victims included two skiers and a guide from Stellar Heli Skiing.
Stellar Heli confirmed that the group was in the Clute Creek watershed, a frequent destination for their heli-skiing operations. One skier was rescued with severe injuries, while the bodies of the deceased were later recovered by Kaslo Search and Rescue.
The victims have been identified as:
Jeff Keenan, 44, a professional snowboarder from Whistler and co-founder of Dinosaurs Will Die.
Alex Pashley, 45, from Idaho, who worked as The North Face’s Global Sports Marketing Manager (Snow).
Jason Remple, 53, a professional ski guide and owner of Stellar Heli Skiing.
The RCMP is still investigating the cause of the avalanche. Avalanche danger remains high (Level 4) across much of British Columbia as of March 26, 2025.
Avalanche Canada classified the slide as a Size 3, persistent slab avalanche on a West-Northwest-facing slope at approximately 2,300 meters (7,500 feet) in elevation. Their report noted that the group was waiting at a pickup location when they were struck from above by the avalanche. Three did not survive, and one was critically injured. Updates may be provided as more details emerge.
Tributes are pouring in from the ski and snowboard communities, highlighting the deep impact Keenan, Pashley, and Remple had on those around them.
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