Updated ,first published
The family of an experienced Australian snowboarder who died after an incident at a Japanese ski resort said she was tragically caught on a ski lift by an avalanche rescue backpack she was wearing to protect herself and her friends.
Brooke Day, 22, was caught in a ski lift at a resort in Japan’s Nagano prefecture on Friday morning (local time). Her backpack is thought to have become tangled while she was trying to disembark. She died in hospital with her family by her side early on Sunday.
“We would like to thank her friends who rendered assistance in her time of need, and stayed with her until we arrived in Japan, as well as the staff at the Omachi General Hospital who did everything in their power to save her,” Day’s family said in a statement on Tuesday.
They said Day was an advanced snowboarder who had loved the sport since she was 11 and was on her fourth extended snow season in Japan.
She had recently completed a three-day avalanche course and used that knowledge to help rescue four people from life-threatening situations in recent weeks, they said.
At the time of the accident Day had been wearing an avalanche rescue backpack “to keep herself and friends safe”. The backpacks feature a rapidly expanding airbag designed to keep people near the snow’s surface in an avalanche.
“Tragically, it was the avalanche rescue backpack that got caught on the ski lift,” they said.
“She was well-respected by her peers and was known amongst the group as the ‘safe one’.”
Japanese media previously identified the 22-year-old as Ella Day Brooke, but sources close to her family clarified her identity to this masthead.
A ski lift buckle became tangled with Day’s backpack, according to Tsugaike Mountain Resort chief executive Tsuneo Kubo, dragging her 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 Day. The Australian was rushed to hospital after suffering what appeared to be a cardiac arrest, according to Kubo.
“We would like to express our deepest condolences to the bereaved family,” Kubo said. “We will do our utmost to respond to the needs of our deceased customers and their families.”
Day was working in Japan as a receptionist at a physio clinic in Hakuba, within the same prefecture as the resort, describing herself as being “a people person” who loved “getting to know the patients and making them feel welcome and seen”.
In addition to snowboarding, Day played rugby union for the Nambour Toads on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, and previously played Australian Rules football for the Maroochydore Roos.
“Taken far too soon, she was not only a talented young rugby player but a cherished teammate, friend and daughter,” her rugby club said in a tribute on Monday.
“On the field, Brooke played with courage, determination, and she continued to grow and improve with every game that she played. Off the field, her smile, kindness, and fun-loving spirit lit up our club, and she was never one to shy away from our off-field festivities.”
“Rest easy beautiful Brooke. Your infectious smile, zest for life and contagious giggle will live on in our memories forever.”
The Maroochydore Roos on Tuesday said Day would always be a much loved and valued member of the club family.
“She was always a positive and vibrant part of the group, always had a smile on her face and despite various setbacks she never brought her disappointments to the side,” the club said.
Day’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.
The incident occurred on the Tsuga No.2 pair lift at the Tsugaike Mountain Resort, a fixed-grip chairlift travelling at about 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 Day’s family.
“We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time,” the spokesperson said.
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CLARIFICATION
Japanese media previously identified the 22-year-old Australian as Ella Day Brooke.
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.
Jack Gramenz is a breaking news reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via email.
