Rally car champion and extreme sports YouTube star Ken Block revealed just days before his death his stunning Christmas he shared with family on an “epic holiday trip”.
Block, who died in a snowmobile accident in Utah on Monday afternoon at the age of 55, shared in one of his recent social media posts his vacation trip surrounded by his family at a snowy Canadian ski lodge.
The action sports star died after his snowmobile overturned and landed on top of him, where he was pronounced dead at the scene, the Wasatch County Sheriff’s Office said.
Block took to Instagram just before the New Year to share the holiday snaps. He wrote: “Merry Christmas from the blocks, from Baldface Lodge! Here’s a photo dump of some of my favorite shots.”
Block shared his vacation trip surrounded by his family at a snowy Canadian ski lodge in one of his recent social media posts. Pictured: Block with wife Lucy and their three children, including daughter Lia, in the Selkirk Mountains, Canada
Block wrote: “Of the amazing snow […] to watch Jamie Lynn climb the rafters to install the star on the tree (pictured) […]it was an epic holiday trip’
Block died at the age of 55. Pictured: Block in Jyvaskyla, Finland, August 2, 2012
In the picturesque family Christmas before his tragic death, Block and his family are seen enjoying the holiday season in the snow and decorating their Christmas tree in the cozy ski lodge.
The family spent Christmas at Baldface Lodge, spread over 32,000 acres in the Selkirk Mountains, about 400 miles (644 km) east of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He thanked the lodge’s owner, Jeff Pensiero, for his hospitality.
Block added, “From the amazing snow, to the incredible hospitality of Jeff Pensiero and his family, to Jamie Lynn climbing the rafters to install the star on the tree, to watching my kids get better and better at shredding … it was an epic vacation trip. I hope you all had a great holiday!’
In one of the pictures, Block posed for a family photo with his wife Lucy and their three children, whom he is now leaving behind after the horrific accident. His 16-year-old daughter Lia is also a driver and previously competed on her father’s Hoonigan Racing team.
Rally car champion and extreme sports YouTube star Ken Block revealed on his Instagram page his stunning Christmas shared with family in the Selkirk Mountains
Block wrote on his Instagram page: “Merry Christmas from the Blocks, from Baldface Lodge! Here’s a photo dump of some of my favorite shots.”
Block shared some of his vacation snaps at the idyllic ski lodge in the Selkirk Mountains, British Columbia, Canada on December 29, 2022, including a towering Christmas tree with the snow-capped mountain backdrop
The family appeared to be spending Christmas at Baldface Lodge, which has 32,000 acres of land in the Selkirk Mountains about 400 miles (644 km) east of Vancouver, Canada. Block posted the holiday photos on December 29, 2022
Block took to Instagram just before the New Year to share the holiday snaps from December 29, 2022
Just a week before his death, Block had also been performing stunts in Idaho on a new and more powerful snowmobile. He even admitted that his increased strength surprised him.
Block had said, “It was my first day on my new ’23 Ski-Doo Summit X Turbo and this thing snaps! Lots of power at high altitudes and wheelies all day long! Epic early season powder and a fantastic first day. Wheelies, deep powder turns and lots of learning on this new sled – good times!’
Block had been snowmobiling in Utah and even shared photos and videos to Instagram earlier in the day, including one in which he shared his excitement about being about to ride one of the snowmobiles.
In an Instagram Story Monday, he posted, “Hell yeah!” as he approached a line of snowmobiles parked ready to drive.
Block even admitted he was surprised at the snowmobile’s increased performance. Pictured: Block on a snowmobile in Idaho, December 22, 2022
Just last week, Block performed stunts on a new and more powerful snowmobile in Idaho. Pictured: Block smiles for the camera at the new 23 Series Ski-Doo Summit X Turbo in Idaho, December 23, 2022
Ken Block posted a video of himself snowmobiling in Idaho on his Instagram page on December 22, 2022, ten days before he died in an accident
Block was widely known as a rally car racing champion, having competed and achieved numerous podium finishes since the mid-2000s.
But in addition to his success in rally car racing, where he finished on the podium dozens of times, Block was an action sports enthusiast and also competed in motocross, skateboarding, UTV, competitive snowboarding and snowmobile racing.
He was a well-known figure on social media with 7.5 million followers on his Instagram and 2 million subscribers to his YouTube channel.
He founded DC Shoes in 1994 with business partner Damon Way.
His family was also with him in Utah at the time of the accident, having spent the vacation together in a mountain cabin.
His team, Hoonigan, released a statement expressing their sadness.
“Ken was a visionary, a pioneer and an icon. And above all father and husband. He will be missed beyond belief.’
His wife Lucy Block posted a photo of her late husband’s helmet, which he was wearing when he died, with a heart emoji caption
Ken Block is seen with his wife Lucy at the premiere of The Gymkhana FIVE at the JW Marriot Mixing Room in June 2012 in Los Angeles, California
Block earned 16 wins at 60 Rally America events from 2005-2014 and won five X Games medals.
He is also one of the few Americans to have scored points in the World Rally Championship.
While his achievements in motorsports contributed to his fame, his social media presence helped him become a household name.
His Gymkhana video series, which includes popular motorsport videos, only added to his fame.