Dr Graeme Nelson, the 56-year-old co-founder of the Curalo Medical Clinic in Eden, has been killed in a tragic accident while back country skiing near Mount Hotham in Victoria on Wednesday afternoon.

Dr Nelson is understood to have fallen down a 700 metre icy slope around 1.30pm.

The Border Mail understands his fall was only stopped by the debris left by an avalanche on the treacherous slope known for its narrow chutes and cliffs.

His body was recovered late on Wednesday afternoon by Victorian police.

Dr Nelson's wife and clinic co-founder, Dr Janice Nelson was at the medical clinic yesterday afternoon when she was contacted by Victorian police with the devastating news.

Colleague and friend of nearly 20 years Dr Michael Pentin was also at the clinic when the call came.

"We heard about it around 5.30pm last night.

"We were just dumbfounded.

“The clinic is a very morose place today, both the staff and the patients," Dr Pentin said.

Graeme Nelson loved outdoor sport and was a keen surfer, bushwalker and skier.

"He liked cross country skiing over the more remote areas in Australia and has skied in the Himalayas recently," Dr Pentin said.

"Graeme was a very experienced skier, both alpine and cross country skiing.

"He was also very keen on surfing- he was a very accomplished surfer - and bushwalking," he said.

"He was doing what he loved doing, which is the only consoling thing.

"It's a lesson to us all - to do things before it’s too late.

“He made the best of his time off, he always made the best of it," Dr Pentin said.

Graeme and Janice Nelson moved to Eden in 1989 from Wonthaggi, Gippsland Victoria to establish the husband and wife practice which celebrated its 20th birthday in 2009.

The clinic is the only general practice in Eden and has been integral to developing local aged care.

Dr Graeme Nelson remembered

Leave your tribute below.