Lewis Ainsworth Legacy Fund

This page is to raise funds to support Lewis's whānau and assist with costs during this difficult time.

On Monday the 22nd January, Lewis was tragically involved in a serious helicopter accident in British Columbia, Canada. Lewis, President of the New Zealand Mountain Guides Association and IFMGA Mountain Guide was onboard the helicopter in his professional capacity as a Ski Guide for Northern Escape Heli-Ski in Terrace, BC, Canada

Lewis was admitted to Vancouver General Hospital in critical condition. He subsequently let go from life support on the 27th of January 2024.

Lewis was a highly respected and passionate member of New Zealand's outdoor community. He started out working as a cook in Aoraki Mount Cook Village before dedicating himself to becoming a ski and mountain guide. He started that journey on the West Coast with Fox Glacier Guides before moving back to Aoraki Mount Cook Village to apprentice and gain International Mountain Guide status with Alpine Guides Ltd.

Following this he moved to Wānaka to live with his partner Sarah and held numerous roles in the mountains, including working for Southern Lakes Heliski as chief guide, ski patrol at local ski areas, and a mountain guide for local companies.

Lewis has been heavily involved furthering the New Zealand Mountain Guides Association and became the President in 2023 after being a long term tenure as a committee member and vice president.

Lewis was 35 years old and is survived by his 10 year old daughter, his parents and his partner.