Canadian professional skier Dave Treadway passed away on Monday, April 15 while skiing in the British Columbia backcountry. He was 34 years old.
Treadway—the brother of pro skiers Daryl and Dan Treadway—was a hallmark of the ski industry and one of its most prolific members. He’d been featured in ski magazines worldwide—including Downdays—and had featured in numerous ski movies.
Treadway was a highly respected big mountain and backcountry skier. Photo: Chris Ankeny via Facebook
According to media reports, Treadway was skiing in a backcountry area between Whistler and Pemberton near Rhododendron Mountain when he fell over 30 meters into a crevasse while crossing a snow bridge. Treadway was reportedly skiing over the snow-covered crevasse when the incident occurred.
Pemberton District Search & Rescue reported that it responded with a medical and extraction team on Monday afternoon after a call for assistance, and recovered Treadway from the depths of the crevasse after a difficult operation. A second team from Whistler Search & Rescue was also dispatched to assist in the recovery. Treadway reportedly succumbed to his injuries on the scene. “The extraction from the crevasse was a very technical operation for the team,” said Pemberton Search & Rescue manager David MacKenzie.
A committed family man, Treadway was bringing up his two sons as skiers. Photo: Robb Thompson via Facebook
Treadway leaves behind two young sons, Kasper and Raffi, and his wife, Tessa, who is pregnant with their third child. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to support the family.
Social media has been alight this week with remembrances of Treadway from his colleagues and friends in the ski industry, a sampling of which we’ll share below.
Ski in peace, Dave Treadway. You’ll be missed.