While driving up Little Cottonwood Canyon, I received the news that an extraordinary person and dear friend, Jack Hannan, had passed away. My heart sank deep into my insides. On March 31st, Jack and three others were dropped off by helicopter on Mt. Currie (near Jack’s home in Pemberton, BC) for a fun day of backcountry skiing. The crew had safely skied down their line and had been getting ready to boot-pack up to another area of the peak when the highest member of the group suddenly noticed a slide heading straight towards them. Jack was positioned a bit lower than the rest of the group and was the only one swept away by the avalanche. It’s believed that the Class 3 slide occurred naturally due to a cornice failure. The rest of his party wasn’t harmed by the slide, and they were able to find and uncover him quickly, but unfortunately the trauma was too much for Jack, and it’s believed he was killed instantly.
To many of us in the ski community, Jack was a true mountainman, a mentor, and an inspiration. Jack won the 2003 Crested Butte US Freeskiing Championships with his incredible jaw-dropping line. While his freeskiing portfolio might have made competitors tremble, when you met Jack, he was kind, humble, and patient. He had an incredible zest for life and lived each day fully whether he was shredding big-mountain lines, building mountain bike trails, or sweeping his beautiful wife Laura Ogden off her feet. Jack truly understood the mountains and was the strongest, most experienced and calculated backcountry skier I have ever had the privilege to get to know. He was an unbelievably skilled craftsman, and when Jack wasn’t playing, he could be found working hard building homes or making small gifts, such as an easel, for Laura. In 2007, he and Laura moved permanently from Crested Butte, Colorado, to Pemberton. To no one’s surprise, a year later they were married in a beautiful ceremony outside their Pemberton home. Jack has touched so many people in this world, and my heart goes out to Laura, to both of their families, and to close friends during this difficult time.
A memorial for Jack Hannan has been set for Saturday, April 12th at 4PM. It will be held at the Black Squirrel Restaurant in Pemberton, British Columbia. In addition, a celebration of Jack Hannan’s life,will be held Thursday, April 8th at 6:00PM at the Eldo in Crested Butte, Colorado. There will be a silent auction and everyone is invited. This will be a night to remember Jack, watch his ski-movie segments, and share photos, stories, and thoughts. Friends of Jack have graciously set up an account to help Jack’s lovely wife Laura during this tragic time. Please send any donations to the address below.
Jack Hannan Memorial
c/o Bank Of The West
P.O. Box 429
Crested Butte, CO 81224
Some of Jack Hannan’s incredible ski footage—we’ll miss you big guy.
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Tags: avalanche safety, backcountry skiing, freeski, Skier Jack Hannan
[...] died in an avalanche near Pemberton, BC. His friend, Backcountry.com writer Tanya Christensen penned a fantastic tribute to Hannan on The Backcountry Beacon. I never knew Jack Hannan, but from what I’ve heard he skied jaw-dropping lines, but inspired [...]
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[...] related to Jack: – Video Tribute to Jack Hannan – Story in Pique Magazine – Story in Backcountry Beacon – Story in Whistler Question – Jack’s Got My Back – Friends on Facebook Share/Save [...]
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