Hannah Keiver Remembered: Lake Louise Skier, Adventurer, and Beloved Community Member Dies in Tragic Fall at Moraine Lake—A Life of Courage, Beauty, and Boundless Spirit Cut Short in the Heart of the Canadian Rockies

LAKE LOUISE, ALBERTA — The serene peaks and snow-swept valleys of Banff National Park bore witness to tragedy on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, when Hannah Keiver, a 34-year-old experienced backcountry skier and much-admired community member, lost her life after a fatal fall in the renowned 3/4 Couloir near Moraine Lake. In a landscape she loved deeply, among the towering ridgelines and pristine slopes of the Rockies, Hannah’s vibrant journey was cut short, sending waves of grief through the town of Lake Louise and beyond.

Described by friends as a “force of nature,” Hannah Keiver embodied the wild majesty of the mountains she called home. With her passing, a remarkable chapter in Lake Louise’s outdoor community comes to a close—but her legacy will continue in every ski track, summit, and shared story that bears her spirit.

A Fatal Fall in Familiar Terrain

The incident occurred early in the morning on May 27, when a distress call alerted Parks Canada to an emergency in the 3/4 Couloir—a steep and narrow alpine chute popular among seasoned skiers and mountaineers for its challenging descent and breathtaking vistas. At approximately 7:00 a.m., a report was made regarding a skier who had fallen a considerable distance while descending the couloir.

Parks Canada Visitor Safety Specialists were immediately deployed, with aerial assistance from Alpine Helicopters, who are regularly tasked with backcountry rescues and evacuations. Despite the rapid response, Hannah Keiver was pronounced deceased at the scene, her life taken by the very landscape that had so often brought her joy, peace, and transcendence.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) later confirmed her identity and the circumstances surrounding the fall. While investigations are ongoing, there is no indication of foul play or equipment failure. The incident is being treated as a tragic accident—an ever-present risk faced by even the most experienced backcountry athletes.

A Life Intertwined with the Mountains

Born and raised in Alberta, Hannah Keiver developed an early love for the wilderness. Weekend hikes with her parents evolved into teenage snowboarding trips and, eventually, a deep-seated passion for alpine skiing, rock climbing, and wilderness survival. After earning a degree in Environmental Studies, she settled permanently in Lake Louise, where her dual passions for conservation and adventure fused into a lifestyle defined by purpose and passion.

Friends recall her fearless approach to life: “She didn’t just climb mountains—she lived on them,” said Ellie J., a longtime climbing partner. “Hannah had this magnetic energy. If she invited you on an adventure, you knew it would be epic—whether you were summiting or sharing a thermos of coffee at sunrise.”

Hannah’s connection to the land wasn’t just recreational—it was spiritual. She often spoke of the Rockies not just as a playground, but as sacred terrain that demanded respect, mindfulness, and humility. Her Instagram account (@hannahkeiver) captured this reverence beautifully, featuring ethereal photos of dawn-lit peaks, sweeping snowfields, and self-portraits that glowed with quiet joy and wild freedom.

A Skilled Skier, A Thoughtful Risk-Taker

Though she pursued high-risk activities, Hannah was not reckless. She was a skilled skier with over a decade of experience in avalanche-prone terrain. She held certifications in Avalanche Safety Training (AST) Level 2, had attended Crevasse Rescue Workshops, and regularly contributed to safety discussions in the backcountry skiing community.

“She always triple-checked gear. She read the forecasts. She wasn’t a thrill-seeker—she was a strategist,” said Matt B., a fellow member of the Banff Alpine Club. “What happened to her could happen to any of us. That’s the truth about the backcountry—it’s beautiful, but it doesn’t negotiate.”

While the final details of the fall have not yet been made public, it is understood that the couloir’s conditions on the morning of May 27 included early spring melt, which can result in unstable snowpack and exposed rock.

The Heart of a Community

In Lake Louise, Hannah was more than just a skier—she was a cornerstone of the community. She volunteered with local conservation efforts, taught youth rock climbing clinics, and helped organize mental health workshops for young adults navigating the isolation often felt in mountain towns.

“She always had time for people,” recalled Lisa K., a coworker at a local outfitter shop. “Whether you were new to town or going through something tough, Hannah made space for you. She saw people.”

Her support for women in mountain sports was particularly notable. Hannah co-founded the “Alpine Sisters Collective,” a group dedicated to empowering women to safely explore backcountry terrain through mentorship, education, and community. The collective has announced plans to rename its annual scholarship in her honor.

A Global Network of Mourning and Memory

News of Hannah’s death has prompted an international outpouring of grief and tributes, particularly among outdoor enthusiasts, conservationists, and followers of her online presence.

“She inspired thousands to connect more deeply with nature,” wrote one follower. “Her words and images were full of light. Her death is a loss for all of us who dream of the mountains.”

Several backcountry skiers have organized a memorial ski tour, encouraging people to post their own #SkiForHannah tributes across social media. Others have lit candles at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake trailheads, laying skis and flowers in symbolic remembrance.

Plans for Honoring Hannah’s Legacy

In the days following her passing, Hannah’s family released a short statement:

“We are heartbroken. Hannah lived with extraordinary courage, grace, and love. We take comfort knowing she passed in a place she adored. We are grateful for the love and support being shown around the world.”

A memorial fund is being established in Hannah’s name to support wilderness education and safety training for women in mountain sports. Details will be announced via her Instagram and local media.

Additionally, Parks Canada and several community partners are discussing options for a permanent trail marker or summit plaque in her memory—something subtle, natural, and enduring, much like Hannah herself.

What She Leaves Behind

As the snow continues to fall on Moraine Lake and the 3/4 Couloir lies quiet once more, the echoes of Hannah Keiver’s life remain vivid. In the rustle of the wind through the pines, in the shimmer of dawn on fresh powder, and in the breathless thrill of summiting a peak—there, she lives on.

Her death reminds us of both the power and the fragility of human life. It calls us to cherish every sunrise, every shared laugh, and every moment of wonder in the wild.

And perhaps, most of all, her legacy urges us to love boldly, explore mindfully, and never take for granted the awe-inspiring beauty of the world we’re so fortunate to traverse.

Rest in peace, Hannah Keiver.
May your tracks in the snow never fade.
May your spirit continue to ascend.

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