SnowBuzz
Serious Injury in Whistler: Avalanche Forecaster Fighting for His Life
Gabe Koller, a highly respected avalanche forecaster and veteran mountain guide, was very seriously injured in a catastrophic mountain biking accident in Whistler, Canada. Koller, who serves as the lead forecaster for the Central Oregon Avalanche Center (COAC), was airlifted by emergency helicopter to a hospital in Vancouver, where he is in critical condition.
Avalanche forecaster and guide Gabe Koller was injured in a serious mountain biking accident in Whistler last week. | Photo: GoFundMe
The serious accident occurred last Friday during a bike ride on Whistler’s challenging trails. Koller suffered complex traumatic injuries, primarily to the face, and has already undergone several urgent and complex surgeries in an effort to stabilize his condition.
Koller is considered a key and leading figure in the winter sports and outdoor community in the U.S. Pacific Northwest, having educated, guided, and kept thousands of skiers and hikers safe over the years. His sudden injury sent shockwaves through the professional community.
His friends and colleagues immediately launched a crowdfunding campaign to support his family and help cover the high medical costs of the long and complex recovery journey ahead.
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