Stoneham (QC), Canada – Professional freeskier JP Auclair perished two years ago in a Chilean avalanche, but his legacy will live on in a run at Stoneham Mountain Resort in Auclair’s native Quebec that has been renamed in his honor.

A boulder lines Stoneham’s expert Kamikaze trail, decorated with graffiti drawn by Auclair’s friend Sébastien Larose to celebrate his honor. A yellow bird contained in the mural was originally drawn by Auclair himself for his girlfriend, and was used in one of his ski films. When the snow falls deep, skiers and riders jump off that rock. The choice of which trail to rename for Auclair was obvious. 

“We wanted to do something unique and special in JP’s honor, something that would remind people of him. He left his mark on the ski industry worldwide, and we were always very proud that he called Stoneham his home resort,” says Daniel Rochon, Stoneham’s vice president and general manager. “This trail, one of the hardest glades of the mountain, was selected by Stoneham as well as JP’s family because it represents perfectly the skier he was.”

A pioneering freeskier, Auclair created his own ski company and directed his own films before launching a humanitarian aid program. He was a philanthropist, entrepreneur, director and filmmaker, photographer, designer, climber, mountaineer, guide, X Games competitor, and a member of the “New Canadian Air Force”.