Tragedy on the Slopes: Australian Snowboarder, 22, Killed in Rare Ski Lift Accident at Japanese Resort
By [News Desk]
Hakuba, Japan — A holiday trip turned to tragedy last week when a 22-year-old Australian snowboarder died in a rare ski lift accident at a popular Japanese resort. The incident has prompted a police investigation and renewed scrutiny of mountain safety protocols.
Brooke Day was boarding a gondola lift at Tsugaike Mountain Resort in central Japan around 9 a.m. on Friday, January 30, when a buckle from the unfastened waist belt of her backpack reportedly snagged on the lift carriage. With the backpack's chest strap still secured, she was dragged into the air. Resort staff immediately halted the lift and initiated rescue operations. Day suffered cardiac arrest at the scene and was transported to a hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
In a statement, Tsugaike Gondola Lift Co. described the sequence of events, noting the involvement of the loose buckle. "Our staff acted promptly to stop the lift and provide assistance," the company said, extending condolences to Day's family. Resort CEO Tsuneo Kubo told media the company is fully cooperating with police and will implement additional safety measures before resuming lift operations.
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed it is providing consular assistance to Day's family. "We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time," a spokesperson said.
Background & Impact: While ski lift accidents are statistically rare, this tragedy underscores potential hazards associated with loose clothing and equipment. Major resorts globally have safety warnings about backpacks, scarves, and dangling straps, but enforcement varies. The incident at Tsugaike—a resort in the Hakuba Valley, part of Japan's famed snow region that hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics—is likely to reignite discussions about standardized safety checks and passenger awareness campaigns at ski areas worldwide.
What People Are Saying
We asked several winter sports enthusiasts for their reaction to the news:
Michael Chen, 34, Season Pass Holder from Vancouver: "This is a heartbreaking reminder that we can't take mountain safety for granted. I always make sure my pack is fully secured or just wear a jacket with pockets. My thoughts are with her family and friends."
Sarah Jennings, 28, Ski Instructor from Colorado: "Instructor training always emphasizes checking guests' gear before they get on a lift. Loose straps are a known risk. This is a tragic accident that should lead to more proactive reminders at lift bases—maybe visual aids or mandatory briefings for rental equipment."
David Park, 41, Avid Snowboarder from Seoul: "It's an absolute failure. How many signs do we need? Resorts profit massively every season but still cut corners on safety education. This wasn't just 'freak' bad luck—it's a preventable oversight that cost a young woman her life. When will they take real responsibility?"
Emma Rossi, 29, Travel Blogger from Melbourne: "Brooke was on a dream trip with friends. It's so devastating. It makes you pause and think about all the little things we don't consider risky until it's too late. I hope her story leads to positive change so no other family has to go through this."