Family identifies climber who died while scaling rock face near Banff

Support LWC on Patreon

BANFF, Alta. — A 26-year old man who died while climbing near Banff, Alta., last week has been identified by his family as Matt Snell.

Sandra and Dwayne Snell say in a Facebook post that their son moved to Banff from Ontario in January 2017

He had spent several summers working in Elkwater Provincial Park in southeastern Alberta before that.

They says he was amazed by the beauty of the vast landscape and started his photography career in Alberta.

Police said Snell stumbled and fell about 25 to 40 metres while he was climbing a Tunnel Mountain rock face known as Le Soulier, or The Shoe, on Friday.

His parents says they want to call the mountain a beast for taking their son.

“But we can’t — Matthew loved these mountains,” they wrote.

“He was in his element and truly part of that element.”

The Canadian Press


Liked it? Take a second to support The Canadian Press on Patreon!
Become a patron at Patreon!

Trending articles

UCalgary students decry residential school denialism debate

Sarah Palmer - Local Journalism Initiative

Calgary preliminary budget documents made public

Darren Krause

Photos: Calgary honours Orange Shirt Day 2026

Sarah Palmer - Local Journalism Initiative

Lingering impact looms after Calgary budget leak

Darren Krause

Three-peat: Calgary continues to lead North America in tech talent growth

Darren Krause

Latest from LiveWire Calgary

Camp meets carnage in Theatre Calgary’s Little Shop of Horrors

Sarah Palmer - Local Journalism Initiative

UCalgary students decry residential school denialism debate

Sarah Palmer - Local Journalism Initiative

Photos: Calgary honours Orange Shirt Day 2026

Sarah Palmer - Local Journalism Initiative

Calgary preliminary budget documents made public

Darren Krause

MORE RECENT ARTICLES

Mr. Fish Creek: The man behind Calgary’s beloved urban park

Sarah Palmer - Local Journalism Initiative

Mayor Farkas said high-speed rail between Calgary and Edmonton is in the city’s economic interest

Darren Krause

Lingering impact looms after Calgary budget leak

Darren Krause

Calgary resident’s open drug penalty proposal mirrors under-review bylaw

Sarah Palmer - Local Journalism Initiative