The life of the McKaye family takes two extreme turns first when Beck wins an Olympic gold medal in snowboarding at the Torino games, and second, approximately two weeks later, when he is found dead at the bottom of a hill back home at Whistler, his death seemingly from an unfortunate fall. At the time, Ethan, who was managing his career, was evaluating which of the many sponsorship options Beck should take. The sponsorship option from Varland Gear Ethan wanted nothing to do with as he blames the Varlands for many of his life issues. Ethan still holds a grudge against anyone named Varland, despite Beck being friends with Adrien's son, AJ. Little did Ethan know that Beck was trying to make his own deals on the advice and help of his Uncle Ryan, who was using Beck to further his own career in impressing VIP clients at the Varland Resort, such as visiting Steve Newman. Beck was also letting his gold medal go to his head in many ways including living a fast life and cheating on Carrie, who caught him in the act with another woman. Quinn felt torn in his love for his brother but also in his long held crush on Carrie himself. But a discovery by Quinn in Beck's closet may change everything. Meanwhile, Nicole is having problems making ends meet, a fact she is hiding from Carrie. Nicole will discover within herself how far she will go to pay the bills.
—Huggo