An experienced skier and ski instructor from Ontario was killed as the result of injuries he sustained at Lake Louise Ski Area this weekend.
Christopher Lum was skiing his first run of the day on Sunday (Feb. 20) at approximately 9:30 a.m. on the Ptarmigan run at the ski hill when he crashed into a stand of trees.
Lake Louise RCMP Cpl. Jeff Campbell said witnesses, including three of Lum’s friends from the Toronto suburb of Willowdale, saw him on the run and in control but “when he should have made a left turn at the bottom he went into the trees”.
Campbell said the 21-year-old was a level two ski instructor and experienced ski racer who was wearing a helmet at the time.
He said it is unknown what caused Lum to go off the run but as a result of the an examination by the Calgary Medical Examiner’s office it was determined he died as a result of blunt force trauma to the face.
Campbell said ski patrol arrived immediately and Lum was still conscious but his condition deteriorated rapidly. CPR was started and Banff EMS dispatched immediately.
However, when paramedics arrived he was pronounced dead at the scene. A funeral is planned for Saturday (Feb. 26) in Toronto.
