I am reading Powder magazine in a train from Helsinki to northern Finland. I feel shocked because my idol, one of the icons of free skiing, has died. Trevor Petersen lost his life in Couloir des Cosmiques in Chamonix, France in 1996. Trevor was one of the most experienced free skiers of that time and he had been in places we just dreamed of. The couloir Trevor went skiing in February 26th in 1996 was an easy challenge for Trevor, but you never know where the danger is lurking. Trevor’s body was found two days later near Glacier Ronde, and the evidence of a brutal avalanche gave some hints of what had happened. Trevor Petersen faced his lonely and violent death in the massive of Mont Blanc, far away from his home and family.

Trevor Petersen grew up in Westminster, British Columbia. Trevor was an energetic and enthusiastic child who was interested in outdoor activities. As they say in POLS website, “If Trev was planning a new expedition, the phone would begin to ring“. As a skier Trevor Petersen was not looking for fame, which can be seen in the lack of pictures and stories of Trevor in the Internet. Trevor just loved ski-mountaineering.

Trevor Petersen was known as a loving husband and an enthusiastic father who left behind his wife (Tanya) and two children (Kye and Nava). If the death of Trevor Petersen touched me, it must have been a real shock for his family. Soon after Trevor’s death, his mother Beth Stewart founded POLS online (Parents of Lost Skiers), which is an online support community for those who have lost their beloved skier. As you can see, there are also few other lost skiers mentioned in the website, not only Trevor Petersen. It is very sad that these young men with great spirit had to go so young. There would have been so many mountain faces for them to ski, so many nights to spend up in the mountains, so many faceshots to receive and so many great stories to be told. The world can be so cruel.

Last year I wrote about the death of Doug Coombs, another skiing idol of mine. Doug Coombs was also one of the legendary skiers who just didn’t expect to die in April 3rd 2006. Doug Coombs died together with his mate Chad VanderHam in La Grave, France. Even though Doug Coombs, and especially Trevor Petersen have died years ago, every now and then I find myself thinking about their destinies. Their deaths have touched me more than I expected. I am a fellow free skier and I have skied in some of those mountains they did. Somehow I can understand what happened to my idols in February 1996 and April 2006.

Trevor Petersen is one of those forgotten stars of skiing. People talk about awesome skiers like Seth Morison and Shane McConkey, but only few remember Trevor Petersen. Time goes on and people tend to forget, which is natural. New skiers pop up and new stories are told. I wish I had a change to ski with my idol Trevor Petersen but that was never given to me. Anyhow, I am one of those lucky free skiers who are still here and can enjoy my life. I am thankful for every day I wake up and see my children growing. Right now it is snowing again. Looks like we we’ll have powder alert in the morning.

Rest in peace Trevor. Rest in peace my hero.

Image source.

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