Son of Olympic Skier Dead in Avalanche

Kai Smart, the 23-year-old son of Canadian two-time Olympic freestyle skier John Smart, has died following an avalanche in Japan.

Like his father, Kai was also an avid skier. According to John, the young man was hospitalized after “being buried in an avalanche.” Last week, Kai’s father said he was in critical condition and “in a coma fighting for his life...after being severely deprived of oxygen." In an update on Tuesday, March 25, he then revealed his son had died.

Smart Was a Recent College Grad, Aspiring Filmmaker

A Whistler, Canada native, Kai graduated the University of British Columbia in 2025 and was also an aspiring filmmaker. He had recently directed the documentaryTien Shan Dream, which followed a group of skiers through the Tien Shan mountains in Kazakhstan.

Taking to Instagram to share a lengthy and heartfelt tribute to Kai, Smart, wife Julia Snell—also a former Olympian—and their eldest son Luke opened up about his life, death and how he’s already helped others following his passing.

“It is with immense sadness that we have to let you know that our kind, brave and beautiful son and brother Kai is no longer with us. We are beyond heartbroken and there are no words to describe the pain we are feeling losing him so young,” they began their post.

After thanking those who reached out with messages of support, the family said they were able to fly Kai home from Japan to Vancouver, where he underwent additional testing.

“Tragically, the severe lack of oxygen he endured during the avalanche had destroyed any chance of recovery. We said our final farewells to him last night,” they shared.

The family also told their followers that their son was an organ donor, saying his “heart is still beating in someone else and he is keeping 4 other people alive with his organs.” That, they added, “gives us great comfort.”

Kai Smart’s Family Remembers His Passions

Calling Kai a “warrior, a mountain man, an explorer of the world, a lover of people of all walks of life, an inspiration to so many, an honour student, a passionate skier, surfer, dirt biker, climber, kitesurfer and so much more,” his family said he was someone who lived life to its fullest with “joy, curiosity, and intensity.”

A look at Kai's Instagram page shows he was a world traveler himself, with his family saying he “experienced more in his short time than most do in a lifetime.” They went on to call him a “bright light, and his energy—his excitement for life and for learning—touched everyone who knew him.”

“He was always searching for the road less travelled, drawn to new places, new ideas, and new experiences,” they continued. “When he wasn’t outside pushing his limits, he was constantly learning, researching, and engaging with the world.”

The family said they won't hold a traditional funeral for Kai, but will be organizing “a Kai-sized celebration of life” for him in Whistler, with plans to be shared at a later date.

“Kai truly lit up the world wherever he went and will be deeply missed by the many people whose lives he touched—especially all of us who were so close to him,” the family concluded.

Others Pay Tribute to Kai Smart

Mike Douglas, another skier and also Kai's godfather, took to the comments to pay tribute to his godson.

“From the moment you could walk, you had an extra spark of curiosity in your eye. You and Luke filled your mum and dad’s gigantic ski shoes with style and grace and took things to a level that we couldn’t even imagine when you were running around the garden in bare feet,” he wrote.

Saying he knew Kai had “adventure in your veins,” Douglas admitted “we worried at times but we also respected your drive to live life to the max.”

Fellow Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy also commented on the post, writing, “There are no words. Sending you and your family love.” The Canadian Olympic Team commented as well, adding, “Sending all our love ❤️”

Olympian Evan McEachran, meanwhile, wrote, “Kai showed everyone how to truly live. Sending so much love to you all.”