Sarah Jean Burke[1] (September 3, 1982 – January 19, 2012) was a Canadian freestyle skier who was a pioneer of the superpipe event.

[14] She regularly participated in skiing films, including Propaganda, in which she showcased her skills by sliding rainbow rails, spinning a 540 in the pipe and throwing back-flips.

[17] On September 25, 2010, she married Bushfield in Pemberton, British Columbia, with pro skier Luke Van Valin officiating the wedding.

[21] She was resuscitated and airlifted to the University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City, where she was reported to have been placed in a medically induced coma.

[23] According to her publicist, Burke's injuries had resulted in "irreversible damage to her brain due to lack of oxygen and blood after cardiac arrest.

The day after Burke's death, her agent established a website to raise $550,000 to help pay her estimated $200,000 hospital costs and create "a foundation to honour Sarah's legacy and promote the ideals she valued and embodied.

[30] In February 2014, Canada Post produced commemorative stamps honouring Burke, curler Sandra Schmirler and figure skater Barbara Ann Scott for being "pioneers of winter sports".

[32] At the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, the IOC refused permission for snowboarder Torah Bright to wear a tribute sticker to Burke during the Games.

Before the finals of halfpipe started, the event volunteers paid tribute to Burke by skiing in a heart-shaped formation.

On October 17, 2016, Burke was part of the class inducted into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel.