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
Shortly before 09:30 a snowboarder riding with two colleagues hit a tree. Another skier found them lying in the snow and called for help through the patrol. A doctor helicopter took them to a hospital in Minamiuonuma, where they died about 12:30 of a tension pneumothorax. Police said the tree was in a no-entry area a few metres past a rope marking the course; they think the rider left the course by mistake. The rider was experienced but not wearing a helmet.
Shortly before 09:30 (午前9時半前) is when the collision was reported to have happened; death was confirmed about 12:30.
Where
At the ski area boundaryTashiro area of Kagura ski resort, Yuzawa town; a tree in a no-entry area a few metres beyond a rope that marked the course.
Known only to the ski area.
Link to the ski area
At Kagura
Police said the tree was in a no-entry area (立入禁止エリア) of かぐらスキー場 Tashiro area, a few metres past the course rope.
People
Died1
Injured—Not reported
Rescued—Not reported
What is known about the cause
Not confirmed
- Speed and why the rider crossed the rope line.
- Group size: Niigata Nippo says with two acquaintances, NST says three riding together (consistent with two companions).
Sources
- Niigata Nippo ↗checked in search results
- NST Niigata Sogo Television ↗ · 2025-04-13checked in search results
- NST Niigata Sogo Television (via Yahoo! News) ↗
- BSN Niigata Broadcasting (via Yahoo! News) ↗
- NST Niigata Sogo Television (via Yahoo! News) ↗
- Yahoo! News (topics pickup) ↗checked 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.