Members of the Canadian skicross team paid tribute to their fallen teammate, Nik Zoricic, on Sunday in a run down the hill that claimed his life the day before.

The Canadian skiers were joined by athletes from other countries as they made their way down the course in Grindelwald, Switzerland, stopping before the final jump to pick up a flower, which was placed at the spot where Zoricic died.

The skiers all wore jeans, in honour of Zoricic's first World Cup skicross race in 2009.

"It was a beautiful thing," Canadian head coach Eric Archer said in a conference call.

"He didn't really have any race pants to wear. What he had was super baggy as far as ski pants and he decided to try and get a little more aerodynamic. And then the best thing he could think of was pulling on a pair of skinny jeans and pulling out of the start gate."

Zoricic died from fatal injuries he suffered Saturday after he went wide over the final jump and crashed hard into safety nets lining the side of the course. The International Ski Federation (FIS) said Zoricic had suffered "severe neurotrauma."

Zoricic's family says racing was the skier's life and he adored the sport.

In a written statement released Sunday, the skier's father, Predrag Bebe Zoricic, said: "Nik loved what he did. Ski racing was his life and he enjoyed every moment of it."

His father said the family is grateful for the many phone calls and messages that have come in from friends and supporters. He said his son had a good year and was enjoying competition.

"Like every athlete, he had his ups and downs but he was on his way up when this happened. He was really enjoying this year. He was really happy."

The family said funeral details have not yet been confirmed.

On Sunday, Montreal's Chris Del Bosco, who was competing in the same heat as Zoricic, said the two had been joking around before their race.

He and teammate Dave Duncan of London, Ont. both said they didn't believe the course posed a danger.

"I know in the heat of the battle trying to make up some ground, you had to be kind of paying attention to the line you were on heading into the finish," said Del Bosco,

Archer said the team would not have raced if there had been any concern about the safety of the course. Both FIS and the Swiss canton, or state, of Bern said they would investigate the accident.

Zoricic's death has shaken Canadian winter athletes, still mourning the loss of Canadian freestyle halfpipe star Sarah Burke, who died in January during a training run.

Ashleigh McIvor, who won a gold medal in skicross at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, said she knew Zoricic since she was a young skier.

"Nik and I both qualified for international juvenile ski race at the age of 13, and Nik's dad was our coach for it," McIvor said during a conference call. "I think what a lot of people don't know about our sport is the men and women actually travel together.

"When we are on the road together those guys are like my brothers and the girls are like my sisters. Obviously this is absolutely horrible."

Other skiers reached out over social media to pay tribute to their friend.

Kelsey Serwa of Kelowna, B.C., the reigning women's world champion in skicross who is also out with a knee injury, posted a goodbye to Zoricic on her Facebook page.

"Today we lost an incredible person, an amazing athlete, a teammate and a good friend. There is no reason why these things happen," she said. "Nik, you have been someone I look up to, and cannot believe you are gone. Your years were too few but what you accomplished was more than others accomplish in a lifetime.

"You are an amazing person, a bright spirit, and will forever be missed. My heart and thoughts go out to all of Niko's friends and family. We already miss you dearly Nik, be in peace."

Bal Gosal, the Minister of State (Sport), said in a statement Canada had lost "a talented and dedicated young athlete."

The Vancouver Canucks held a moment of silence for Zoricic prior to their home game against the Montreal Canadiens.

Meanwhile, downhill skier Ryan Semple of Whistler tweeted, "A close friend and lifetime skier was lost today. My thoughts go out to his family. May you rest in peace Nick Z!!!"

While the Canadians are in mourning, they will return home carrying the Nation's Cup, the trophy awarded to the best overall team.

With files from The Canadian Press