“He treated everyone he met like an old friend and believed the mountains were among life’s most wise teachers,” the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort said of the late athleteJapanese outlets reported on Jan. 18 that an American man fell under a waterfall and became unable to move while backcountry skiing near Mount Kotomi
A Wyoming athlete died after suffering a ski accident in Japan.
On Wednesday, Jan. 21, the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort shared that Max Martin — a 32-year-old professional big-mountain skier — has died.
“We’re heartbroken to share the loss of our dear friend and Jackson Hole athlete, Max Martin,” the resort wrote on Facebook alongside several photos of the late athlete. “Max’s passion for skiing, his generosity of spirit and his love for this community positively impacted everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.”
Noting that Max was raised in Jackson Hole, the resort went on to say that Max never failed to show love for his people and the mountains alike.
Max Martin.
gofundme
“From his roots in ski racing to traveling the world in pursuit of big terrain and new adventures, he treated everyone he met like an old friend and believed the mountains were among life’s most wise teachers,” the tribute continued. “His positive energy, enthusiasm, and adventurous spirit will forever inspire us. We send our deepest condolences to Max’s family, friends, teammates, and the many communities touched by this tremendous loss. Our hearts are with all who knew & loved him.”
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According to Jackson Hole News & Guide, Teton County Sheriff Matt Carr said on Jan. 20 that he had reached out to state and federal lawmakers regarding a potential rescue for the skier in Hakuba, Japan.
“People in Jackson have a lot of contacts and a lot of resources throughout the world,” Carr said, noting that the Sheriff’s Office wanted to provide any “additional support” it could. “It seemed as though time was of the essence.”
Sen. Mike Gierau also told the outlet that he had received a call from Sheriff Carr on Jan. 18 relaying the details of the tragic incident, which also allegedly involved Max’s brother, Tyler Martin. And because the incident occurred in the middle of the night in East Asia, Gierau said that the Japanese government was unable to conduct a rescue mission due to safety concerns.
While details of the incident remain unconfirmed, Japanese outlet TBS News reported on Jan. 18 that an American man fell under a waterfall and became unable to move while backcountry skiing near Mount Kotomi in the Northern Alps with three other people. The three others reportedly descended the mountain safely.
“It’s a tragic loss for the family and for everyone who knew him,” Sen. John Barrasso said, adding that his office did everything they could to contact the consulate in Habuka and communicate the emergency. “We’re always wanting to help people from Wyoming. We get calls regularly to help with a lot of different things, but clearly this is a very unique and tragic situation.”
Following Max’s death, an Idaho resident, Jamison Wilson, created a GoFundMe to support Max’s family and aid in transporting the late skier back from Japan.
Meanwhile, fellow Jackson County skiers grieved the tragic loss and remembered Max as a “relentless force of positivity,” Max’s childhood friend, Risto Beatty, told Jackson Hole News & Guide.
“He was the best skier in Jackson Hole by all metrics,” Beatty continued. “It was not just his ability. It was his personality and his vibe and his spirit.”
Veronica Paulsen, a close friend of Max’s, also praised his ability to always make people feel heard and important.
“It just made people feel welcome,” she told the outlet. “It made people feel like they were a part of his world and a part of the skiing community.”