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From The Freeskiing World Tour:
Today, the freeskiing community mourns the loss of a member of our family. A close-knit community, we’re truly devastated by the passing of Ryan Hawks. We realize nothing compares to the loss for his parents Peter and Jackie and sister Alicia, and our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to them, his entire family and friends. His infectious smile, positive attitude and passion for the mountains and skiing will be missed.
When Ryan was nine years old, he skied the headwall at Tuckerman's ravine and from that point forward was hooked on big mountain skiing. When Ryan wasn’t in school in Vermont, he was skiing with friends and fellow Mad River Glen athletes Lars and Silas Chickering-Ayers. Together, they cruised the continent living out of a van called The General, searching for fresh powder and adventures.
"My father always said, 'A skier carries his own skis,' so I learned how to carry my batman skis by the age of two and have been skiing ever since ...” said Ryan Hawks on his website www.greenmountainfreeride.com. “I grew up on the slopes and was instilled with a deep passion and respect for my surroundings by those very same mountains.”
The freeskiing community sustains itself on the passion and energy of skiers from around the world, a shared love of mountains, skiing, and friendship. Freeskiing is at its best as a group, with all of its members. Ryan, you will be missed.
From The Tahoe Daily Tribune:
Ryan Hawks, a professional freeskier from Vermont, died Tuesday from injuries sustained after a fall Sunday during the Freeskiing World Tour competition at Kirkwood Mountain Resort.
He was 25.
Hawks attempted a backflip off a larger cliff toward the middle section of the Cirque at 3:17 p.m. Sunday. When he landed, his skis released and he showed little movement. Ski Patrol arrived within minutes.
A rescue toboggan brought Hawks down and loaded him into a waiting Care Flight helicopter. He was flown to Renown Health Center in Reno and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. He died Tuesday morning from his injuries. The Washoe County Coroner's Office is investigating his death.
Mad River Glen's Hawks & Friends: