On Monday, 15th April, a skier was reported to have fallen 30 metres down a crevasse whilst out skiing in the Pemberton (British Columbia) backcountry. Rescue teams had not officially released the skier’s name, but locals later confirmed that it was professional skier Dave Treadway.
David MacKenzie, head of PSAR, said the man was a “very experienced skier” who was travelling with a group that happened to run into challenging terrain in warming conditions, according to local Whistler news outlet, Pique.
“It was just an unfortunate incident going through unknown terrain. There are crevasses all over the backcountry and in the glacial area. Various ones may have an ice bridge over them or something, and some of them can be sight unseen.”
“We were always stoked to see the kids ripping it up on their boards and skis, with such contagious enjoyment”
The recovery of the skier was reported to be a “technical operation” that involved 14 members of the local search and rescue team, from both the Pemberton and Whistler area.
“I would say the depth of the crevasse was paramount to the operation” David told Pique. “Having to put in various ice anchors and protection and getting our team down into the crevasse to access the subject was one thing, and then being able to actually rig it back up so that they could be pulled back up to the surface was another.”
After a life working as a professional freeskier, Dave had spent the last few years focusing his time on his family life. With his wife, Tessa and their two sons, Kasper and Raffi, they created quite possibly the most inspirational ski family; one that always made us want to drop everything and go rip it up in the backcountry with the ones we loved.
Dave was always on hand to share his stories of Kasper and Raffi’s latest achievements with us, which was usually accompanied by a huge dose of pride and stoke on Dave’s part.
His videos left a huge impact on all of us here at Mpora and we were always stoked to see the kids ripping it up on their boards and skis, with such contagious enjoyment. Dave started the @freerange.family Instagram account which consistently put a big smile on our faces each time he shared a picture/video of one of the family members loving life in the backcountry.
A GoFundMe page has been launched in support of Tessa and her 3 children
“Dave had a huge impact on many people and if you wanted to donate to support Dave’s wife and children in their future life all money raised here will go to them. We place no expectations on the donation amounts; give a little or give a lot. The money will never replace Dave, but it might provide for opportunities that he would have surely made happen for the family he loved.”