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View Full Version : Sad Day for Sugarbush/Mad River...Ryan Hawks Passes Away!



Treeskier
03-01-2011, 12:38 PM
I is truly a sad day for Sugarbush. Ryan Hawks passed away today from injuries uncured in competition at Kirkwood. Having skied with Ryan, he was a gentleman at all times. Fantastic skier. Great person! Could throw air off the littlest bump. Grew up in the Blazer community. His Dad is one of the fine outback guides. Sugarbush/Mad River community and I will truly miss you.

I hope all who read this will take a minute of silence in his honor.

freeheel_skier
03-01-2011, 01:37 PM
Thoughts and Prayers go out to his friends and family. Very sad to hear anyone pass away.


It a large sport but sking is a small community.

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php/216836-R.I.P.-Ryan-Hawks....

skierdon
03-01-2011, 02:17 PM
very sad. thoughts and prayers to the Hawks family.

Treeskier
03-01-2011, 02:53 PM
http://clubxtaski.com/040318_StAnton_247.jpg
http://clubxtaski.com/040318_StAnton_187e.jpg

The way I remember him :)

win
03-01-2011, 09:52 PM
Yes. A real loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. Ryan's father is a long time member of the Sugarbush family.

Hardbooter
03-02-2011, 07:20 AM
The local news has a story on their website:
http://www.wptz.com/r/27042748/detail.html

atkinson
03-02-2011, 08:28 AM
This hits hard. Ryan was one of the happiest no-attitude people I've ever met. Each time I saw him on the mountain this fall, he was all smiles, despite the white ribbon conditions.

His dad and I had some great conversations about his mental and physical preparations for this tour. We were both very impressed with his drive, fitness, focus and humbleness.

Yesterday, my wife and I went for a little tour in Nebraska Notch and I couldn't stop thinking about Ryan. I am convinced there is something powerful that happens to your brain on skintracks, providing clarity and depth to thought and emotion.

Every hello and goodbye is a mix of joy and sorrow. We will miss you!

http://www.sugarbush.com/uploadedfiles/2008_files/stokeexchange/sugarbush_atkinson_Ryan_Hawks_2010.jpg
Ryan at the Boston Ski Show this fall.

John

skiladi
03-02-2011, 09:20 AM
So sorry to hear this sad news.

Hardbooter
03-02-2011, 10:58 AM
The freeskiinng world tour has a nice memorial on their page now.

http://freeskiingworldtour.com/

Treeskier
03-03-2011, 08:25 AM
Nicely done. http://starkspub.com/2011/03/01/rip-ryan-hawks/#comment-276

Hardbooter
03-03-2011, 08:35 AM
From Powder Magazine
http://www.powdermag.com/mantle/ryan-hawks-1985-2011/

They did a good job of talking to Ryan's friends who were there and trying to get an explanation of what might have gone wrong.

Treeskier
03-04-2011, 07:46 AM
RYAN B. HAWKS
| Visit Guest Book

RYAN B. HAWKS BURLINGTON - Ryan B. Hawks, 25, a resident of Burlington, suffered a tragic ski accident on Feb. 27, 2011 during an extreme ski competition at the Kirkwood ski area in California. He died on March 1, 2011 in Reno, Nev. with family and friends at his side. Ryan, born in Burlington on Nov. 13, 1985, is the son of Peter and Jackie Hawks. He graduated from South Burlington High School in 2004. He recently completed his engineering studies and graduated from UVM this past Dec. Ryan is widely known and admired for his kindness and his unerring capacity to treat everyone he met with an even-handed warmth that made them feel important to him. There was no such thing as a problem in Ryan's life; only opportunities for a solution. His never-ending smile would light up the room and make everyone feel better. Ryan had numerous passions, including skiing, mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, and most recently, surfing. Ryan was a professional skier who traveled the West Coast competing in national freeskiing completions. He founded Green Mountain Freeride along side Lars Chickering-Ayers, which promotes the progression and art of skiing. Ryan was passionate about his core values. He took the ideas that his parents instilled and grew them to the point where he served as a mentor to those around him including his parents and younger sister. Ryan lived a fulfilling life, which was dominated by fun, adventure, and determination. He worked hard and played hard. He was not a spectator by nature. Although he lived only 25 short years, he lived every minute of his life. He will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. His kindness and compassion was felt by all who knew him. The ski community, as well as his family and friends, mourn his passing. Ryan is survived by his mother, Jackie Hawks; his father, Peter Hawks of Burlington; and his sister, Alicia Hawks of Denver, Colo. He is also survived by his two half-sisters, Samantha Stetson and her husband, David, and their children, Hunter and Hadley of South Burlington, and Lindsey Paley of Warwick, R.I and her husband, Mark, and their children, Dean and Ayla. A memorial service is planned at the First Congregational Church on So. Winooski Street in Burlington on Saturday, March 5, 2011 at 11 a.m. On Sunday, March 6, 2011, Mad River Glen will be holding a mountain-top tribute for Ryan at 8 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: the Ryan Hawks Memorial Fund, c/o Mountain Sports International, 1435 So. State Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84115, Attn: Adam Comey. The initial purpose of this fund is to establish an award for a deserving freeride skier who exemplifies Ryan's passion for skiing and who mirrors the qualities which distinguished Ryan.

gratefulskier
03-04-2011, 11:28 AM
Ryan was training for this winter at a CrossFit box in Burlington where I also train. He was amazingly fit when he left. And, no attitude at all. If someone asked, he simply said he was going out west skiing for the winter - very modest considering his goals


GS

Treeskier
03-06-2011, 06:49 AM
The out pouring of support was fantastic. 600 was expected and 1000+ showed at yesterday's memorial service. The pulpit was adorned by Ryan's skies, boots, Northern comfort and 2 great pictures of Ryan's smile. Reggae music fillled the church. Peter's eulogy was in the present, excellent and truly told of Ryan's accomplishments and fine demeanor. He was followed by ~8 of Ryan's best friends heart felt speeches. All through the service Jackie's home made chocolate chip cookies where mentioned and afterwards there was cookies everywhere.

Now off to the MT top service at Mad River. It's raging outside.

atkinson
03-09-2011, 07:29 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ca34zdOF6t0

Treeskier
03-09-2011, 08:41 PM
Raising the flag back to full staff....Raising Ryan's Spirit High in the Air!
http://clubxtaski.com/110306_Eraser_Storm_web/photos/028_110306.jpg

http://clubxtaski.com/110306_Eraser_Storm_web/photos/025_110306_1.jpg
Even one of Ryan's best friends Scott raised high.