A summary of public reports, written by Ski in Sky and checked against each source. It is not an official investigation, and it may change as investigations continue.
What happened
About 10:30 a lone snowboarder was seen being carried by an avalanche while riding near Kumaanazawa. Other parties nearby and police searched with avalanche transceivers but got no signal, and the rider went missing. JAN records the rider as not carrying a transceiver and counts one death.
About 10:30 is when the avalanche was witnessed (JAN).
Where
Outside the ski areaNear Kumaanazawa (熊穴沢) on the Tenjin ridge (天神尾根) of Mt Tanigawa, Minakami town; JAN gives elevation 1,430 m, north-east aspect. Mountain terrain above Tanigawadake Tenjindaira ski area.
Known only to the area.
Link to the ski area
Near a ski area, not inside it
JAN classes it as mountain terrain (山岳); police described the place as near Kumaanazawa on the Tenjin ridge. The ridge rises above Tenjindaira ski area, but no source opened says the rider came from the resort, so it is not attributed to it.
People
Died1
Injured0
Rescued—Not reported
What is known about the cause
Not confirmed
- When and where the rider was found, and the cause of death; JAN only says they went missing and counts one death.
- Whether the rider used the Tanigawadake ropeway / Tenjindaira ski area for access.
Sources
Last checked against the sources on 2026-10-22.