Quebec man killed in avalanche while splitboarding on Utah mountainside

David Ethier, 38, was an avid outdoorsman who loved nature, his employer said

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Published Jan 02, 2025  •  1 minute read

Salt Lake County Sheriff search and rescue crews respond to the top of Millcreek Canyon where four skiers died in an avalanche near Salt Lake City on Feb. 6, 2021. Photo by Francisco Kjolseth /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

A Quebec man killed in an avalanche in Utah over the weekend is being remembered as an avid outdoorsman who loved nature.

Utah authorities said David Ethier died while splitboarding Saturday in Millcreek Canyon near Salt Lake City and his body was recovered on Tuesday.

Deputy Arlan Bennett says Ethier had been splitboarding in the Millcreek Canyon area on Saturday, but was swept under the snow during an avalanche.

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He says a rescue operation began Sunday evening after a family came across Ethier’s dog and later found his car at a trailhead.

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Authorities contacted Ethier’s family in Quebec, who said he was 24 hours overdue.

Bennett says the rescue continued Monday but was impeded by heavy snowfall until Tuesday.

“Further up on the peak towards the area where he would have been at, it was snowing pretty much constantly,” he said. “There was only a small window of opportunity for us to get the chopper up,” he said.

Sheriff Rosie Rivera called it a “heartbreaking tragedy” in a statement.

“Our hearts go out to the family as they grieve the loss of their loved one.”

Ethier, who local media say was from Sherbrooke, Que., had worked for four years at BRP, the Quebec-based powersports vehicle and marine products manufacturer.

A spokeswoman says the company learned late Wednesday of the passing of their 38-year-old technical support team worker and offered condolences to his family.

Melanie Montplaisir says Ethier was passionate about his work and a nature lover who was greatly appreciated by colleagues and dealers.

She says in an emailed statement that Ethier often told colleagues that working at BRP was a way for him to combine his professional career with his love of adventure and the outdoors.

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