Banff (AB), Canada (Thursday, July 6, 2006) - Hans Gmoser, the founding father of helicopter skiing in the Canadian Rockies since forming Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH) in 1957, died yesterday from injuries sustained in a fall Monday while cycling the 1A highway near its intersection with the Trans-Canada Highway in Lake Louise.

Gmoser suffered a broken neck in the incident that left him in critical condition at Foothills Hospital in Banff. Bystanders reported that Gmoser was cycling alone when he collapsed, and first aid was rendered at the scene before being transported by helicopter to Foothills Hospital, the RCMP is quoted as saying.

Gmoser retired from CMH in 1991. In recent years he had shunned the limelight, content to enjoy his two favorite activities – cross-country skiing in winter and cycling in summer. He was born in Austria in 1931, and during the 1950s, 60s and 70s he laid the foundation of modern mountaineering in Canada. He pioneered rock, alpine and expedition climbing, he popularized ski mountaineering and was largely responsible for creating Canada's professional mountain guides association. Through his films and later through helicopter skiing he made the Canadian mountains world famous.

Gmoser has been greatly honored over the years, receiving honorary memberships in the Alpine Club of Canada and the International Federation of Mountain Guides Associations and an honorary doctorate from Thompson Rivers University. He was elected to the Honor Roll of Canadian Skiing and to the U.S National Ski Hall of Fame. He is a recipient of the Banff Mountain Film Festival Summit of Excellence Award and, in 1987, was awarded the Order of Canada. Just a few weeks ago he was a founding inductee into the Canadian Tourism Hall of Fame.

According to his wishes there will be no funeral or memorial service. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested contributions be made to the Association of Canadian Mountain Guides (ACMG) in Canmore, Alberta.