Avalanche kills Briton heli-skiing in Rockies

A London businessman described as “one of the finest” died after being hit by an avalanche while skiing off-piste in the Canadian Rockies.

Ryan Keene, 31, was one of four people buried by snow near Blewett in British Columbia. Another skier, a woman from Ohio, also died.

The group had been “heli-skiing” — an extreme version of the sport in which skiers are dropped off at remote areas by helicopter.

Police said they had just completed a run and were preparing to be retrieved by the helicopter with their gear removed when they saw an avalanche triggered from a ridge above them. The guide told everyone to run but they were caught in the snow slide.

The avalanche was classified as a 3.5 out of five which the Canadian Avalanche Centre describes as large enough to bury and destroy a car.

Mr Keene, who went to Loughborough University, often competed in other physical challenges and was called “The Warrior” by friends.

Colleagues today paid tribute to him and said his death last Wednesday would leave “a void”. Stuart Colman of AudienceScience, the digital marketing company in Covent Garden where Mr Keene was business development director, said: “He loved skiing, so as tragic as his death is, he died doing something he genuinely loved.

“I know it’s always said in these circumstances, but I can say with absolute conviction that Ryan was an incredible person — fun, caring, exciting to be around, inspirational to watch at work and the kind of person you were proud to call your friend.

“He was someone who would always put others ahead of himself. The world has truly lost one of its finest.” Mr Colman added: “Ryan was the best. He was always the life and soul of any party, guaranteed to make people smile and have a great time.

“He was engaging, charming and funny, and in a way that was always endearing. The kind of person everyone wanted to be with and be friends with.