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
Two snowboarders were riding the backcountry on Mt Yakebitai and became separated at about 13:30. The companion reported that they could not reach or find their partner. Ski patrol searched and at about 18:30 found the rider in forest about 600 m north-east of the summit, still wearing the snowboard and mostly buried in snow. Because recovery at night was dangerous, the body was brought out the next morning and the identity was confirmed. An avalanche advisory was in force that day.
About 13:30 is when the two became separated (search snippet). Found about 18:30; recovered on the morning of the 21st because a night recovery was judged dangerous.
Where
Outside the ski areaForest about 600 m north-east of the summit of Mt Yakebitai, Shiga Kogen, Yamanouchi town (reports).
Known only to the area.
Link to the ski area
Near a ski area, not inside it
Reports (search titles) describe backcountry snowboarding (バックカントリー滑走中) and a body found in forest (山林) about 600 m north-east of the Yakebitai summit. Ski patrol searched, but no report seen places it inside the managed area.
People
Died1
Injured—Not reported
Rescued—Not reported
Not confirmed
- Cause of death and whether an avalanche, a tree well or deep snow buried the rider.
- Where the pair left the ski area.
- Rode separately from the companion in backcountry terrain; an avalanche advisory was in force (reports, seen as search snippets) (reported by NBS Nagano Broadcasting (via Yahoo! News); that source could not be re-checked).
Sources
- abn Nagano Asahi Broadcasting (via Yahoo! News) ↗
- NBS Nagano Broadcasting (via Yahoo! News) ↗
- NBS Nagano Broadcasting (via Yahoo! News) ↗
- SBC Shinetsu Broadcasting (via Yahoo! News) ↗
- SBC Shinetsu Broadcasting (via goo News) ↗
- Shinano Mainichi Shimbun ↗ · 2025-02-20checked in search results
- Shinano Mainichi Shimbun ↗ · 2025-02-21checked in search results
This record was checked against search results for these reports (date, place and outcome); the original articles could not be opened.
Last checked against the sources on 2026-10-22.