Updated February 2, 2026 — 12:44pm,first published 12:03pm
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An Australian snowboarder has died after a ski lift accident at a Japanese resort.
Japanese media have identified Ella Day Brooke, 22, as the snowboarder who died after being suspended from a ski lift at a resort in Japan’s Nagano prefecture on Friday morning (local time). The incident occurred when Brooke was caught on the lift while attempting to disembark.
A woman has died in an accident at Tsugaike Mountain Resort, Japan.Tsugaike Mountain Resort
The ski lift buckle became tangled with Brooke’s backpack, according to Tsugaike Mountain Resort chief executive Tsuneo Kubo, causing the snowboarder to be dragged along the lift as it turned in the opposite direction.
The backpack could not be removed from Brooke’s body, as her chest belt remained fastened.
The lift was stopped by an attendant, who pressed an emergency button to render first aid to Brooke. She was rushed to hospital after suffering what appeared to be a cardiac arrest, according to Kubo, and was confirmed dead on Sunday.
“We would like to express our deepest condolences to the bereaved family and pray for the repose of their souls,” Kubo said. “We will do our utmost to respond to the needs of our deceased customers and their families.”
Brooke’s death is being investigated by local police, while the resort has pledged to review safety measures to prevent another tragedy. The investigation is expected to analyse security camera footage of the incident.
Tourists at the Tsugaike Mountain Resort taken on January 28.Tsugaike Mountain Resort
The incident occurred on the Tsuga No. 2 pair lift at the Tsugaike Mountain Resort, a fixed-grip chairlift travelling at approximately 2.5 metres per second, which can carry about 1000 people per hour.
The lift was closed on Saturday, and will remain shut until attendants can assure its safety. Kubo said the resort took the matter “very seriously”, and would ensure all customers could use the equipment in a “safe manner”.
The death comes weeks after a five-year-old boy was killed at a ski resort in northern Japan after his arm was trapped in a magic carpet ski lift. First responders reported the boy fell while attempting to disembark from the conveyor-belt style lift at Asarigawa Onsen Ski Resort in Otaru, Hokkaido. The boy was pronounced dead after being rushed to hospital.
Japan has emerged as the premiere winter destination for Australians in December and January, as favourable exchange rates and cultural value have seen it preferred to skiing holidays in North America and Europe.
More than one million Australians visited Japan in 2025, according to the Japanese National Tourism Organisation, marking the first year that tourism numbers eclipsed one million visitors. It represented a 15 per cent increase on the record numbers registered in 2024.
A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson confirmed it was providing consular assistance to Brooke’s family.
“We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time,” the spokesperson said.
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Daniel Lo Surdo is a breaking news reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald. He previously helmed the national news live blog for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.Connect via email.From our partners