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
Three snowboarders went into the mountains. When the first rider did not answer on the radio, the other two descended and found an avalanche crown, then their friend injured and unconscious lower on the slope. Around 11:30 another group that heard of the accident searched from above by transceiver and, at about 1 m on the reading, found the victim's hand in a gap in the debris and dug them out; the shallowest burial apart from the hand was about 50 cm. A fire-department helicopter flew them out, but they were pronounced dead.
About 11:30 is when another group heard of the accident and began a transceiver search (JAN), not when the avalanche released.
Where
Outside the ski areaNishikurosawa (西黒沢), Mt Tanigawa, Minakami town; JAN gives elevation 1,320 m, north aspect. Mountain terrain, not inside any resort.
Known only to the area.
Link to the ski area
Near a ski area, not inside it
JAN classes it as mountain terrain (山岳) at Nishikurosawa on Mt Tanigawa and does not mention Tanigawadake Tenjindaira ski area or how the party got there, so it is not attributed to the resort.
People
Died1
Injured0
Rescued—Not reported
What is known about the cause
- Investigation reportHuman-triggered dry slab (storm slab), size 2; crown 40 m wide, 40-50 cm deep; ran 240 m vertical over 450 m (JAN, from interviews). [1]
- Investigation reportThe first rider descended alone while the others waited; the alarm was raised when radio contact failed (JAN). [1]
- Investigation reportVictim had trauma injuries; transceivers carried (JAN). [1]
Not confirmed
- Whether the party used the Tanigawadake ropeway or Tenjindaira ski area to get there.
- The time the avalanche released.
- No news report of this event was found.
Sources
Last checked against the sources on 2026-10-22.