The son of former Canadian Olympic freestyle skier John Smart has tragically died at the age of 23 after being buried by an avalanche while he was in Japan.
Kai Smart, a filmmaker, was left in a coma and flown to Vancouver via air ambulance for treatment last week but eventually succumbed to his injuries.
In a statement, Smart said ‘the severe lack of oxygen he (Kai) endured during the avalanche had destroyed any chance of recovery.’
He added: ‘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.
‘Kai was 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 honor student, a passionate skier, surfer, dirt biker, climber, kitesurfer and so much more.
The son of Canadian Olympic freestyle skier John Smart, Kai, has died at the age of 23
Smart posted this picture of Kai earlier this month while he was still in hospital in Japan
Kai, a University of British Columbia graduate, had just recently finished his first film project
Smart competed in two Winter Olympics, in 1992 in Albertville and Lillehammer 1994
‘He lived life to the fullest every single day, with joy, curiosity, and intensity, and experienced more in his short time than most do in a lifetime.’
Smart also revealed that Kai’s organs are now being used to keep four other people alive.
It comes just a month after Kai, who graduated from the University of British Columbia with honors in May 2025, was busy promoting his ‘first foray’ into the film industry.
He had finished a documentary focused on a team trying to scale the Tien Shan mountains in Kazakhstan over two weeks. Kai said he was ‘really happy’ with the final outcome.
Smart competed in two Winter Olympics for Canada, in 1992 in Albertville and 1994 in Lillehammer. He placed fifth and seventh in moguls, respectively. He also won 17 World Cup medals during his career.
Among those to pay tribute to Kai was Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy. He commented on Smart’s post: ‘There are no words. Sending you and your family love’.
