The son died in a tragic accident. © Instagram

Tragic loss: Canadian ski star mourns son

Sad news is coming from overseas. A Canadian skiing legend has lost his young son in a tragic accident.

March 30, 2026

From: det

John Smart is a well-known name in the Canadian ski scene. The freestyle skier competed in the 1992 and 1994 Olympic Games, was among the world's best for many years, won World Cup races, and was inducted into the Canadian Ski Hall of Fame in 2003. But now the 61-year-old has been struck by tragedy. Smart's son, Kai, was killed in an avalanche. He was only 23 years old.

"It is with great sadness that we must inform you that our dear, brave and wonderful son and brother Kai is no longer with us. We are heartbroken, and there are no words to describe the pain of losing him at such a young age," John Smart wrote on Instagram.

Buried in avalanche

Kai Smart was caught in an avalanche in Japan last week. The 23-year-old was rescued, but was in critical condition from the start. He was eventually transferred back to his native Canada, where his family decided to turn off his life support.

John Smart (left) with his son Kai.

“Tragically, the lack of oxygen destroyed any chance of recovery,” wrote his father, John Smart, on Instagram. “Kai was a fighter, a man of the mountains, an explorer of the world, a friend to people from all walks of life,” he wrote emotionally. And he was—like his father John—a ski-mad boy who also worked as a filmmaker during his adventures.

His heart continues to beat in another person

“It gives us great comfort,” said Papa John Smart, “to know that Kai’s heart continues to beat in another person and that he saved the lives of four other people with his organs. Kai brightened the world wherever he went and will be infinitely missed by the many people whose lives he touched,” concluded his emotional post.