A Sussex skier died when he plunged from the side of a mountain and hit a tree.

Grant Alderman, a sports-mad IT consultant, died after trying to avoid another skier who strayed into his path while on holiday in Sunshine Village, Banff, Canada.

Yesterday, at their home in Roedean Road, Worthing, Grant's family spoke of their love for a man who had friends in all parts of the world.

His father Peter said: "At the top of the ski run, his friends told us he turned and said, The last one down buys the beers'. That was just typical of him, always laughing and joking.

"He was not only our son, he was our friend, my mate. He was a successful man but never flash. He enjoyed his cars and drove a Lotus Elan and a classic Audi A4.

"I spoke to one of his friends who told me Grant was planning to give me the A4 because I used to joke with him and call it my car. That was typical of him. He was so generous, not just with his money but also with his time.

"He died happy, doing something he loved. We hold no bitterness. It was just a tragic accident. Grant had 38 wonderful years and packed so much into his time. We just wish it could have been longer."

Scores of letters and sympathy cards from family, friends, ex-girlfriends and colleagues, already line a wall in the family home, a testament to Grant's popularity.

The former Durrington High pupil began his working life at LloydsTSB bank before moving to Sphere Drake in Brighton. Grant then started the consultancy work which took him all over the world.

He had last been based in Bournemouth and would drive back home to Worthing every Friday night for the weekend.

An avid Liverpool FC fan, Grant had a passion for several sports. He played football for Kronenbourg FC, based in Worthing, and was also a keen golfer, cyclist, scuba diver and triathlete.

Her eyes welling with tears, his mother Christine said: "We've had so many touching letters and cards.

"Grant was so popular, he had many groups of friends and somehow managed to link them all together.

"He absolutely adored kids and was godfather to many of his friend's children.

"He loved his sport and was really competitive. He always loved to win.

"Even though he was very successful, he would never want to be away from his family for long. Barely a day went past when he wouldn't call and he would be back here every weekend. He was the light of our lives and will be missed every day."

After the accident on April 3, Grant was treated at the scene by the ski patrol before being airlifted to Banff Mineral Springs Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

It marked the fifth death in just over two years at ski resorts in Banff National Park and is the second death this year at Sunshine Village.

Canadian police confirmed they were treating the incident as an accident and said alcohol was not a factor.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police corporal Gary Fedrau said: "He was just skiing down the sunshine coast run and was skiing near the left edge when he went to avoid someone else and went off the other side of the run. From the sounds of it, it was purely an accident.

"He was a skilled skier and should have been able to handle it but he just caught an edge."

Sunshine Village spokesman Crosbie Cotton said: "It's a very unfortunate incident.

"At this time our thoughts are with his family and friends."

As well as his parents, Grant is survived by his sisters Lisa and Karen, brother-in-law Mark, and nieces and nephews George, Emily, Matthew, Jasmine and Daniel.

His funeral will be at Worthing Crematorium on Friday at 2.20pm, where football anthem You'll Never Walk Alone will be played to mourners.

After the service there will be a celebration of Grant's life at the nearby John Selden pub where all are welcome.

To get in touch with the family, email Karen at kwarrington@tiscali.co.uk.

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