A Canadian found dead after an avalanche near the border between Chile and Argentina is being remembered by his peers as a visionary who transformed the sport of skiing.

Jean-Philippe (JP) Auclair and Swedish skier Carl Andreas Fransson were hiking on Chile's Monte San Lorenzo when they were swept away by an avalanche. The two were in South America filming a new project.

"JP was not only an amazing skier, but he also had the insight to bring skiing to a whole new level," Lillehammer Olympic gold medallist Jean-Luc Brassard told CTV's Canada AM Wednesday. "Jean Philippe was quite exceptional … he created an entire way of skiing."

The 37-year-old freeskier from the Quebec City area was a moguls expert who helped Salomon launch the first mainstream twin tip ski in the late 1990s – meaning the tails of the skis are curved so skiers can descend backwards. In 2002, he and fellow freeskier Tanner Hall founded Armada Skis, which is dedicated to making skis for terrain park features such as jumps and rails, as well as the deep powder in the backcountry.

Now, almost every ski company in the world makes skis in that style.

"It's like creating a small electric car out of your garage and all the Ferraris, Maseratis and Jaguars are now copying you," said Brassard.

Brassard describes Auclair as being "a good guy" and "one of the finest humans you can find."

"It was pretty sad news that shocked the entire ski community in the country and around the world," said Brassard.

Some of the world's best skiers and others are remembering Auclair on social media.

Four-time X Games gold medalist Simon Dumont, who had his own brush with death after failing to land a massive jump, remembered Auclair as a legend.

Nagano Olympic gold medalist for freestyle skiing Jonny Mosely:

Former Canadian downhill world champion Erik Guay:

Sochi Olympic silver medalist Mike Riddle:

Auclair was also a visionary filmmaker. Brasssard said he brought a whole new artistic point of view to ski movies. Many people are sharing this scene of Auclair skiing through a city in the 2011 film All.I.Can. by Sherpas Cinema.

Auclair, Fransson and two others were hiking the 3,600-metre San Lorenzo mountain. They disappeared when a wall of rocks and snow came crashing down on them Tuesday. Two survivors were treated at a local hospital and gave information to help locate the bodies.