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BC Coroners office identifies snowboarder who died on Whistler Mountain

Jaisal Chauhan found deceased in Harmony zone Feb.17
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courtesy of Whistler Blackcomb

The BC Coroners Service has confirmed the identity of a man who died following a snowboarding incident on Whistler Mountain on Feb. 17, as Jaisal Chauhan, aged 30, of Waterloo, Ontario.

Chauhan was part of a group that was skiing and snowboarding on Whistler Mountain. In the late afternoon he failed to meet up with other members of the group, who reported him missing to the ski patrol. A search was started, but he was not found until the next morning in an in-bounds area near Harmony Ridge. He was deceased at the scene.

The BC Coroners Service and RCMP continue to investigate this death.

According to the website canadianobituaries.com, Chauhan graduated from the University of Waterloo in engineering.

"Jaisal inspired those around him with his zest for life that took him to adventures far in nature," states the obituary.

"Lying on a beach one day he came to realize there was so much living he had yet to do. He wasted no time in pursuing his dreams.

"Jaisal had rich interests from playing the piano, trumpet and guitar to building his engineering business (Grand River Engineering). He was an avid tennis player, mountain climber, and skier.

"He is remembered for his bright spirit, cheeky smile and quirky sense of humor. He was loved by so many he worked and played with. "

Previously reported

On Feb.17 at 5:22 p.m. a group of friends alerted Whistler Blackcomb patrol that one of their party was missing. A search was launched by local search and rescue staff, and the RCMP was also notified.

The snowboarder had last been scanned at the Harmony 6 Express chairlift in Whistler's alpine at 1:47 p.m.

The RCMP interviewed friends of the missing snowboarder, and a "missing snowboarder alert" was also put out to Whistler Mountain operations staff working on overnight.

First thing this morning Whistler Blackcomb patrol deployed ground-based teams to sweep in-bounds sections of Whistler Mountain, while the RCMP and Whistler Search and Rescue began searching out-of-bounds terrain adjacent to the last known area used by the snowboarder.

At approximately 11:30 a.m. Whistler Blackcomb patrol found the missing snowboarder in bounds, in the Harmony Zone on Whistler Mountain. He was located in a forested area in the Harmony Bowl area. He was wearing a helmet.

The deceased was visiting Whistler with friends. They split up to ski, and when the deceased didn't show up at the end of day the friends alerted the patrol and also searched the village.

"Whistler Blackcomb wishes to express its sincere condolences to the family and friends for this sad loss," a spokeswoman said in a release.

"Skiers and snowboarders are reminded to ski and ride with care in terrain that is suitable for the conditions and their ability level; to always ski and ride with a partner; and ensure meeting times and places are discussed prior to heading up the mountain."

No cause of death has been released.