Kyle Smaine, world champion halfpipe skier, dies in avalanche in Japan January 31, 2023 World champion halfpipe skier and Lake Tahoe native Kyle Smaine died over the weekend after getting caught in an avalanche in central Japan. https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2023-01-30/kyle-smaine-world-champion-halfpipe-skier-dies-avalanche-obit