The Sunshine Coast and beyond are uniting in grief and support following the tragic death of 22-year-old Brooke Day, an avid Australian snowboarder from Queensland, in a freak chairlift accident at Tsugaike Mountain Resort in Japan’s Nagano Prefecture on Friday, January 30, 2026.

Brooke, an advanced rider who had loved snowboarding since age 11 and was on her fourth extended season in Japan, worked as a receptionist at a physio clinic in Hakuba while chasing her passion on the slopes. That morning, she boarded the Tsuga 2 chairlift. As she prepared to disembark, an unfastened waist buckle on her avalanche rescue backpack—worn to protect herself and friends—became entangled in the lift carriage. With the chest strap still secured, she was dragged along the snow before being hoisted into mid-air as the lift continued.

news.com.au

Brooke Day: Young Aussie dies after freak accident at Japanese ski …

Resort staff quickly activated the emergency stop button, halting the lift, but Brooke remained suspended for several agonizing minutes. She suffered cardiac arrest and was rushed by ambulance to hospital. Despite efforts, she passed away peacefully in the early hours of Sunday (Australian time), with her parents, Deanne and Warren Day, by her side after racing from Queensland to Japan.

Her family shared a poignant statement via a GoFundMe launched by close friends: “(On February 1) at 12.15 am, we shared our final goodbyes as your big heart played its final beat… Thank you for being strong and holding on as we raced to get by your side in Japan. We are forever grateful for your 22 years as our daughter and little sister.” They noted the overwhelming support: “It’s astonishing how many people have been affected by this tragedy and how many friends a 22-year-old can have.” The tribute ended with: “Brookie, you’ll live on forever in our hearts and minds. Rest in powder and shred it up in the mountains in the sky. We love you endlessly.”

people.com

More Details Revealed About Death of Woman Snowboarder in Ski Lift …

The irony has deepened the sorrow: the avalanche rescue backpack, equipped with airbags for safety in backcountry risks, tragically contributed to the entanglement. Family friends emphasized Brooke’s priority on safety, making the twist even more heartbreaking.

Tributes poured in from her workplace, the Alex Surf Club in Alexandra Headland, where she was remembered as a “deeply valued and cherished” team member whose “infectious sense of humour, kindness, and vibrant spirit” lit up every room. “Her sparkle, warmth, and the joy she shared so freely will never be forgotten,” the club posted on Facebook.

7news.com.au

Sunshine Coast community rallies around family of snowboarder …

The GoFundMe, created to ease financial burdens and allow the family time together amid grief, has seen an outpouring of donations and messages from around the world, reflecting Brooke’s wide circle of friends and admirers.

The incident occurred just 12 days after a near-miss on the same Tsuga 2 lift, where another skier was almost dragged but saved by a timely stop. Resort chief executive Hisao Kubo issued apologies, confirmed prompt rescue efforts, and pledged an investigation with safety enhancements.

Brooke’s story has highlighted rare but devastating chairlift risks, even for experienced riders, and sparked calls for awareness. As her family prepares to bring her home, the Sunshine Coast community rallies with vigils, messages, and support, honouring a young woman whose adventurous spirit and big heart touched countless lives. Her legacy endures in memories of powder days and endless joy.