[{"document_url": "http://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/214644/Skier-fondly-remembered", "unformatted_src": "/img/mh/OKOldies-ListenNow.png", "src": "https://www.castanet.net/img/mh/OKOldies-ListenNow.png", "formatted_filename": "OKOldies ListenNow", "alt_text": "Okanagan Oldies 103.9 Listen Now", "rendered_width": 205, "rendered_height": 45}, null, {"document_url": "http://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/214644/Skier-fondly-remembered", "unformatted_src": "/img/mh/y/flyers.png", "src": "https://www.castanet.net/img/mh/y/flyers.png", "formatted_filename": "flyers", "alt_text": "Flyers", "rendered_width": 17, "rendered_height": 17}, null, {"document_url": "http://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/214644/Skier-fondly-remembered", "unformatted_src": "/img/mh/y/automall.png", "src": "https://www.castanet.net/img/mh/y/automall.png", "formatted_filename": "automall", "alt_text": "Automall", "rendered_width": 17, "rendered_height": 17}, null, {"document_url": "http://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/214644/Skier-fondly-remembered", "unformatted_src": "/img/mh/y/events.png", "src": "https://www.castanet.net/img/mh/y/events.png", "formatted_filename": "events", "alt_text": "Events", "rendered_width": 17, "rendered_height": 17}, null, {"document_url": "http://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/214644/Skier-fondly-remembered", "unformatted_src": "/img/mh/y/cams.png", "src": "https://www.castanet.net/img/mh/y/cams.png", "formatted_filename": "cams", "alt_text": "Cams", "rendered_width": 17, "rendered_height": 17}, null, {"document_url": "http://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/214644/Skier-fondly-remembered", "unformatted_src": "/img/mh/y/tango.png", "src": "https://www.castanet.net/img/mh/y/tango.png", "formatted_filename": "tango", "alt_text": "The Tango", "rendered_width": 17, "rendered_height": 17}, null, {"document_url": "http://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/214644/Skier-fondly-remembered", "unformatted_src": "https://x.castanet.net/OkanaganOldies/18-08/display/OKOldies-Car-PR1.jpg", "src": "https://x.castanet.net/OkanaganOldies/18-08/display/OKOldies-Car-PR1.jpg", "formatted_filename": "OKOldies Car PR", "alt_text": "59111", "rendered_width": 230, "rendered_height": 90}, null, {"document_url": "http://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/214644/Skier-fondly-remembered", "unformatted_src": "/content/2017/12/big_white._p3275128.jpg", "src": "https://www.castanet.net/content/2017/12/big_white._p3275128.jpg", "formatted_filename": "big white", "rendered_width": 640, "rendered_height": 481}, null, {"document_url": "http://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/214644/Skier-fondly-remembered", "unformatted_src": "https://x.castanet.net/Turner/18-10/display/2018-10-Turner-VW-Bigbox-CPO.jpg", "src": "https://x.castanet.net/Turner/18-10/display/2018-10-Turner-VW-Bigbox-CPO.jpg", "formatted_filename": "Turner VW Bigbox CPO", "alt_text": "132782", "rendered_width": 300, "rendered_height": 250}, null, null, {"document_url": "http://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/214644/Skier-fondly-remembered", "unformatted_src": "https://c.castanet.net/img/220/3627953-1-1.jpg", "src": "https://c.castanet.net/img/220/3627953-1-1.jpg", "alt_text": "3627953"}, null, {"document_url": "http://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/214644/Skier-fondly-remembered", "unformatted_src": "https://x.castanet.net/Anthonyssubaru/18-09/display/AnthonysSubaru-Fall-HP1.jpg", "src": "https://x.castanet.net/Anthonyssubaru/18-09/display/AnthonysSubaru-Fall-HP1.jpg", "formatted_filename": "AnthonysSubaru Fall HP", "alt_text": "49466", "rendered_width": 300, "rendered_height": 600}, null, {"document_url": "http://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/214644/Skier-fondly-remembered", "unformatted_src": "/content/spca/317153.jpg", "src": "https://www.castanet.net/content/spca/317153.jpg", "alt_text": "Frankie", "rendered_width": 300}, null, {"document_url": "http://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/214644/Skier-fondly-remembered", "unformatted_src": "https://x.castanet.net/Cyclepath/18-08/display/Cyclpath-GiantEBikes-HP1.jpg", "src": "https://x.castanet.net/Cyclepath/18-08/display/Cyclpath-GiantEBikes-HP1.jpg", "formatted_filename": "Cyclpath GiantEBikes HP", "alt_text": "54185", "rendered_width": 300, "rendered_height": 600}, null, null, null, null, null, null, null, {"document_url": "http://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/214644/Skier-fondly-remembered", "unformatted_src": "/img/RTNDA.jpg", "src": "https://www.castanet.net/img/RTNDA.jpg", "formatted_filename": "RTNDA", "alt_text": "Castanet Proud Member of RTNDA Canada", "rendered_width": 300, "rendered_height": 115}, null]
Skier fondly remembered

Rob Gibson - Dec 22, 2017 / 5:00 am | Story: 214644 Photo: Nicholas Johansen

The family of the 69-year-old Kelowna skier who lost his life at Big White Wednesday is heartbroken over the loss.

One family member who asked to remain anonymous says the victim was a "great guy and a master skier."

"I'm heartbroken. He's a 100-plus days a year skier. Who knows what happened, but we are heartbroken, and he was a fantastic, loving man."

The family member says it's going to be a tough Christmas for the family.

The deceased was originally from Halifax, but retired in the Okanagan because he was a powder hound and loved to ski in the region, especially at Big White.

Police said the man died after skiing off a 30-foot cliff.

Ski patrollers recovered the man from deep snow in a closed area.

Despite lifesaving efforts, emergency personnel and ski patrol staff were unable to revive him.

Big White senior vice-president Michael Ballingall says the man went under a rope that was set up to prevent skiers from using the area for safety reasons.

