Celebration of life set for Dane Ferguson, Alaska hero and snowmachine legend [Video]

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – Pro snowmachiner and humanitarian Dane Ferguson passed away on Christmas day from medical complications, leaving behind his wife, a 16-year-old daughter and 12-year-old son.

He was 44 years old.

Ferguson also leaves behind a community who appreciated the time and money he spent on building a positive snowmachine culture for kids in Alaska.

Ferguson is known in the 49th state for many reasons. Initially, he put the state on the map for snowmachining after winning a gold medal in the inaugural “Snowmobile Next Trick” at Winter X Games 13 in 2009 in Aspen, Colorado.

Ferguson pulled off a trick he dubbed the “Twist Off,” a backward flip with a twist. He was the only competitor to safely land his machine.

This elevated the man to star status back home, and when he arrived home, he used his newfound celebrity for good. Ferguson created the Alaska State Sno-X Lions Club and was president for 15 years.

“I …