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Heli-Skiers Killed in Monstrous Alaska Avalanche Identified

Originally posted on Powder | By Matt Lorelli | Last updated Mar 7, 2025 11:05 AM ET

Three heli-skiers were killed by a massive avalanche in Alaska's Chugach National Forest on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.

The victims were buried by 40-100 feet of avalanche debris according to the professional backcountry guides with Chugach Powder Guides. The slide is believed to have ran close to 3,000 vertical feet and a half mile long. Considering the immense depth of debris, the guides were unable to recover the buried skiers.

The Alaska State Troopers have since identified the victims. They are as follows:

David Linder, 39 of Florida
Charles Eppard 39, of Montana
Jeremy Leif, 38, of Minnesota

All three victims were guests of Chugach Powder Guides. According to a company spokesperson, the skiers were caught and buried on a run that the heli operation frequents.

According to eye-witness reports, all three skiers deployed their avalanche airbags once the slide began.

The Minnesota Star Tribune has identified David Linder as the owner of Sub Arctic Media, a company that owns more than 20 talk and radio shows across Minnesota.

Charles Eppard, of Big Fork, Montana leaves behind his wife Brittany and their daughter Belen, according to a GoFundMe created to raise money for Eppard's family.

Jeremy Leif, according to his LinkedIn and Facebook pages, was the CEO of Leif Consulting Group, a company he founded in 2023.

POWDER extends its thoughts and condolences to the friends and families of the deceased during this difficult time.

This article first appeared on Powder and was syndicated with permission.

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