Calgary man dies while snowcat skiing

A 54-year-old Calgary man died of a heart attack Feb. 2 while on a backcountry snowcat skiing trip near Olney.

Alex Douglas was skiing a powder run with a group of nine friends with Great Northern Powder Guides when he collapsed in the snow halfway down a run in the mountains of the Stillwater State Forest.

A guide with the snowcat skiing outfit found Douglas unresponsive and immediately began administering CPR and first aid. The ALERT rescue helicopter was dispatched to the scene and an emergency snowcat and other guides were called to the area.

The guide performed CPR for about 45 minutes until two snowmobilers in the area met the helicopter and helped transport ALERT emergency personnel and gear up the mountain.

Douglas reportedly died at the scene.

In a statement, Great Northern Powder Guides said they are saddened by the tragedy as Douglas and his friends are regular customers with ties to the Whitefish community.

“[Douglas] was the heart of his group,” the statement read. “A graceful skier. A husband. A father of three daughters. Someone we looked forward to seeing as the season moved into winter.”

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.”

A celebration life was held Feb. 7 in Calgary.