A Canmore man was killed in Kootenay National Park after falling into a tree well while backcountry skiing near Floe Lake on March 1.
Family and friends identified long time local Lockie Hughes on social media as the skier who died in the accident.
The 60-year-old was doing what he loved, wrote cousin Cory Warburton in a post honouring his memory as a father, son, uncle and adventurer.
“Lockie died doing what he loved most,” wrote Warburton. “He excelled at living his life, I honestly can’t remember a time that I saw Lockie and he wasn’t smiling. Whenever I saw him, whether he was walking into a room or across the yard to talk to me, I always had a warm welcoming feeling.”
Parks Canada confirmed it helped recover his body with Invermere Columbia Valley RCMP.
“We received the call from a group of skiers who were assisting the deceased ski partner and then assisted the Columbia Valley RCMP with the recovery operation,” said Lesley Matheson, a communications officer for Lake Louise, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks.
“Our thoughts are with the friends and family of the deceased.”
She reminded those venturing into the backcountry that tree wells can pose a serious danger and to always ski with a partner and remain in sight of each other at all times.
