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 Neve). If the death of Trevor Petersen touched me, it must have been a real shock to 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. 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, and so many great stories to be told. The world can be so cruel.

Trevor Petersen is one of those forgotten stars of skiing. People talk about rad skiers like Seth Morison and Shane McConkey, but only a 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 am one of those lucky free skiers who are still here to conquer the mountains. Right now it is snowing again. Looks like we we’ll have powder alert in the morning.

Rest in peace Trevor.