Powder legend Dave Rosenbarger, known as ‘American Dave’ around Chamonix, dies in an avalanche aged 38. 

The Patagonia ski ambassador was skiing off the Helbronner on the Italian Side of the Mont Blanc massif. He was caught in a slide and rescuers managed to find him and dig him out alive, but he later died following his injuries.

Rosenbarger skied from the age of eight, all over North America before coming to Europe to pursue a dream of bigger and steeper lines. He was nicknamed ‘American Dave’ for continually pursuing fresh powder on Mont Blanc after spending consecutive winters in Chamonix since 2003. Rosenbarger features in a profile published for the February issue of POWDER as well as an online piece that launched only last week.

In a statement on the Patagonia website, Josh Nielsen, Patagonia Global Marketing Director, Outdoor, writes:

“He was the epitome of a pure passion skier—someone who didn’t do it for the cameras or for the limelight—and was deeply committed to the sport for all of the right reasons. Dave was a calculated risk taker and a talented athlete who dedicated his life to climbing and skiing some of the most challenging lines in the world, especially in Chamonix, his winter home.”

May he #skiinpeace