laska backcountry and mountaineering community is mourning the loss of Dylan Lenzie,

The Alaska backcountry and mountaineering community is mourning the loss of Dylan Lenzie, a highly respected lead guide and avalanche educator who passed away on Saturday, May 2, 2026. Lenzie died from injuries sustained in a fatal avalanche accident three days earlier while working in the Chugach Mountains.

The Incident on Gannett Glacier

• The accident occurred on Wednesday, April 29, while Lenzie was conducting heli-ski guiding operations for Crown Mountain Guides.

• Location: The avalanche took place in the West Bench area of Gannett Glacier, situated south of the Knik Glacier.

• Immediate Response: Following the slide, Lenzie was quickly located and extracted from the snow by a fellow guide.

• Medical Transport: He was evacuated via helicopter to the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center.

• Final Moments: While he was alive upon arrival at the hospital, he ultimately succumbed to his injuries on Saturday with his family and close friends by his side.

The accident follows a separate recent incident in the Chugach Mountains where a group of skiers managed to escape unharmed after being carried 1,000 feet by a large avalanche.

In a statement the company said:

"It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Dylan Lenzie, a beloved guide and member of the Crown Mountain Guides family.

Our hearts are broken. We lost one of our own this weekend. Dylan was family to us, and we are holding his loved ones close as we share this together.

On Wednesday, April 29, 2026, Dylan was involved in an avalanche event while heli ski guiding in the West Bench area of Gannet Glacier. He was rapidly located by a fellow guide, extricated from the snow, and immediately transported by helicopter to Matsu Regional Hospital. Though Dylan was alive when he arrived at the hospital, he succumbed to his injuries on Saturday morning, May 2, 2026 alongside his family and close friends.

Dylan was a skilled guide and a respected senior member of our team. He was a beloved member of the Alaska mountain community and a colleague and friend of the Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center. He was a cherished partner, a much-loved son and brother, and a friend to so many of us.

There is no easy way to say what Dylan meant to us. He was the kind of person you wanted in the helicopter with you, on the boot pack with you, at the table with you at the end of the day. He loved this work, he loved this place, and he loved the people he shared it with. To everyone who skied with him, guided alongside him, or crossed paths with him in the Alaska mountain community, you know. He is one of the good ones. The mountains are quieter without him, and so are we.

We will share ways to support Dylan’s partner and family as soon as plans are in place. Further announcements regarding memorials, a GoFundMe, and a memorial service will be shared in the coming days."

A Legacy of Education and Safety

Lenzie was far more than a guide; he was a cornerstone of Alaska’s avalanche safety infrastructure. As a senior member of the Crown Mountain Guides team, he was known for his expertise and leadership in high-stakes environments.

His contributions to the community included:

• Professional Observer: Serving with the Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center (HPAC) to provide critical snowpack data.

• Instructor: Teaching the next generation of backcountry users through the Alaska Avalanche School.

• Community Figure: Establishing himself as a well-known and trusted voice in statewide avalanche education.

Community Remembrance

In a joint statement, Lenzie’s family and Crown Mountain Guides confirmed the tragic news, sparking a wave of tributes from the organizations he served.

“We are devastated to share that our friend and colleague… passed away from injuries sustained in an avalanche accident,” the Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center stated, noting that their thoughts remain with his family and friends during this difficult time.

Lenzie’s passing is felt deeply across the state, marking a somber moment for the tight-knit community of Alaskan mountain professionals.