Avalanche
Kai Smart, a 23-year-old freeskier, filmmaker, and University of British Columbia graduate from Whistler, died March 22 from injuries sustained after being buried in an avalanche in the Tokachi mountain range in Hokkaido, Japan, his father confirmed on social media Monday, March 23.
John Smart, a two-time Canadian Olympian in moguls, announced on March 13 that his son Kai had been placed in critical condition after the burial. The family flew Kai home from Japan to Vancouver General Hospital on March 19 for further testing. Doctors determined that Kai’s oxygen deprivation during the burial made recovery impossible. John Smart confirmed Kai’s death on Instagram on March 23.
“We are beyond heartbroken, and there are no words to describe the pain we are feeling losing him so young,” John wrote. In the same post, the family disclosed that Kai had chosen to be an organ donor. His heart continues to beat in another person, and his organs are keeping four other individuals alive. “This gives us great comfort,” his father wrote.
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Kai’s parents, John and Julia, former Olympians, run Momentum Ski Camps in Whistler. Growing up in that world, Kai was exposed to competitive skiing from a young age. He competed in all three freestyle disciplines before settling on slopestyle at 14, according to Pique Newsmagazine. Later, he moved away from competition to the backcountry and filmmaking, drawn by the intersection of mountain culture, expedition skiing, and environmental storytelling.
Kai Smart’s former freestyle coach, Graham Pollock, at Freestyle BC described him as an exceptionally passionate and adventurous athlete who left a lasting impact on everyone around him. More than just a talented skier, he was known for his curiosity, independence, and ability to bring people together—whether on the mountain or beyond. His coach reflected on the privilege of watching him grow into not only a top-level athlete but an outstanding person, adding that even in now in death, Kai selflessly helped others by donating his organs. “He was taken from us far too soon,” Pollock wrote, “but in his time here, he touched countless lives around the world, many places you couldn’t pay me to go. He saw the good and the adventure in everything and everyone, and he always brought people along for the journey.”
Kai graduated with honours from the University of British Columbia in May 2025. Shortly after, he finished work on Tien Shan Dream, a ski film available on Apple TV, Roku, and Outside TV. The film follows a team of international skiers on a two-week glacier traverse in Kazakhstan. In a February Facebook post, Kai described it as his first proper freeride expedition and filmmaking.
Before Tien Shan Dream, Smart had partnered with athlete management and media company Pangea Creatives on its first major film, The Front Lines, which addressed the effects of climate change on the ski and snowboard industry, writes Pique Newsmagazine. He spoke candidly about the retreating glaciers near Whistler and his belief that athletes had a responsibility to carry that message where scientists could not reach.
There will be no funeral. In his post, John Smart said the family plans to hold a celebration of life in Whistler, in keeping with who his son was. He is survived by his parents, John and Julia, and his brother Luke.
