Former world champion halfpipe skier Kyle Smaine, who won the world championship in 2015, died Sunday after getting buried in an avalanche in Japan. He was 31 years old.
Smaine was with two other skiers at the time of the avalanche, according to a social media post from photographer Grant Gunderson, who was also on the trip. One of them was also killed in the incident, while the other emerged unharmed after being buried in five feet of snow.
The United States Freeski Team posted a statement sending condolences to Smaine’s family.
“Today we lost an incredible person, friend, skier and teammate to the mountains.