Aaron McLean: Scottish skier dies after accident in Alps

Tributes have been paid to the 26-year-old, who died on Thursday afternoon

Tributes have been paid to Aaron McLean, 26, who is understood to have died in an accident while teaching a group of young skiers

A Scottish ski coach has died in an accident in the Alps. Aaron McLean, 26, is understood to have been teaching a group of young skiers in the French mountain resort of Avoriaz when he died on Thursday afternoon.

Mr McLean was a co-founder of off-piste group British Freeride and competed on the Freeride World Tour. He also featured in the short film Late which was released in 2015 and showed him exploring Scotland’s summits along with friends.

Snowsport Scotland, an organisational body for competitive skiing, said: “Aaron, a talented back country skirt, coach, and man of great enthusiasm and infectious energy was immensely instrumental in the formation of British Freeride last year.

“Our thoughts and sympathies go out to his family and close friends and we hope his legacy will live on through the continued activity of British Freeride.”

Colleagues at British Freeride described Mr McLean as: “an amazing skier and lover of the mountains and people.”

With additional reporting by PA