LAKE LOUISE, ALBERTA — The tight-knit mountain community of Lake Louise is in deep mourning following the tragic death of 34-year-old Hannah Keiver, an experienced and deeply respected backcountry skier who lost her life on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, after a fatal fall in the 3/4 Couloir near Moraine Lake, one of Banff National Park’s iconic and challenging alpine areas.
Keiver, originally from British Columbia but a longtime resident of Lake Louise, was known throughout the Canadian Rockies for her adventurous spirit, skilled mountaineering abilities, and unwavering love for the wilderness. Her death has sent ripples of sorrow across the outdoor and adventure community, where she was widely admired for her leadership, humility, and courage in the mountains.
Friends and family describe Hannah as someone who lived and breathed the outdoors. Whether navigating high alpine routes, skiing untouched powder fields, or volunteering her time with local conservation and avalanche awareness groups, she was passionately committed to the mountains and to the people who loved them.
“Hannah had this rare combination of fierce independence and deep generosity,” said Erin Dallimore, a close friend and fellow skier. “She inspired everyone around her—not by chasing glory, but by quietly showing what was possible with preparation, respect for the terrain, and heart.”
Hannah worked seasonally as a ski guide and avalanche educator and was known for mentoring younger skiers in backcountry safety. Her social media was filled not with boastful adventure stories, but with thoughtful reflections on nature, environmental responsibility, and gratitude for life in the Rockies.
According to Parks Canada, Keiver had set out early Tuesday morning with a small group of trusted ski partners to climb and descend the 3/4 Couloir, a steep and technically demanding chute descending from the lofty ridges above Moraine Lake. The route is popular among elite skiers but is known for its exposure, avalanche risks, and variable snow conditions—even late in the spring.
While ascending the couloir, Keiver reportedly lost her footing near a narrow, icy section and fell several hundred meters. Despite immediate aid efforts by her companions and a rapid response from Banff National Park rescue teams, she succumbed to her injuries at the scene.
Authorities confirmed that all necessary safety precautions had been taken, and no foul play or negligence is suspected. Weather and terrain conditions were being assessed as part of the ongoing investigation.
The outpouring of grief has been swift and heartfelt. An impromptu memorial of skis, flowers, and handwritten notes has formed at the base of the trailhead near Moraine Lake Road. Online forums and local gathering spaces have become places of shared memory and sorrow as friends remember Hannah’s legacy.
“She gave her heart to these mountains,” said Milo Gauthier, a local trail builder and longtime friend. “And in doing so, she gave her heart to us. Her loss leaves a hole that words can’t fill.”
The Lake Louise Alpine Centre, where Keiver often volunteered, announced it will host a community vigil on Saturday evening, open to the public and including a candlelit hike to the Lake Louise lookout—one of Hannah’s favorite peaceful places.
Hannah Keiver is survived by her parents, Susan and David Keiver of Nelson, BC, her younger sister Mara, and a wide circle of friends who considered her family. In a public statement, her family wrote:
“Hannah was a beacon of light, both gentle and strong. She lived life on her own terms, filled with purpose, laughter, and humility. Her love of the natural world was boundless, and she brought others into it with grace. We are heartbroken but incredibly proud of the life she led.”
Honoring Her Legacy
In honor of Keiver’s memory, her friends and family are establishing the Hannah Keiver Mountain Safety Fund, which will support avalanche education scholarships for women and underrepresented groups in mountain sports.
“Nothing would make Hannah prouder than knowing others were being equipped to enjoy the mountains with knowledge and respect,” said her sister Mara.
As the community of Lake Louise and the broader outdoor world comes to terms with this immense loss, the image of Hannah Keiver—carving graceful turns in untouched snow, laughing on a ridgeline with friends, educating others about mountain safety—will remain etched in the hearts of many.