American skier Kyle Smain is one of the two men who died in an avalanche that occurred in the backcountry off the course of a ski resort in Otari, Nagano Prefecture, according to major US media.
According to the International Ski Federation, Kyle Smain won the halfpipe at the 2015 World Championships and won the halfpipe at the 2018 World Cup.
"Today we lost a great person, friend and teammate," the US national team said on social media. "Smain loved exploring the mountains and was a strong player." has been published.
Smain's wife also posted a message on social media, saying, "I am truly grateful to have married you and have lived together."