Kai Smart, 23, son of two-time Olympic freestyle skier John Smart, has died after being caught in an avalanche while skiing in Japan. He was critically injured, placed in a coma, and later succumbed to his injuries, his father confirmed on Instagram.
Kai, from Whistler, Canada, was flown to Vancouver after the incident, but severe oxygen deprivation left him with no chance of recovery. John described his son as “a warrior, mountain man, explorer, and inspiration,” who lived life fully and pursued passions like skiing, surfing, climbing, and filmmaking.
Kai directed the ski documentary Tien Shan Dream, following a 14-day expedition in Kazakhstan’s Tien Shan mountains, marking his first entry into filmmaking. He had graduated with honors from the University of British Columbia and often shared his travels and adventures on social media. His organs are now helping save four lives.
John Smart, a decorated freestyle skier with 17 World Cup medals, competed for Canada at the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics, helping establish the country’s strength in moguls skiing.