A snowboarder has tragically died after falling from a malfunctioning chairlift at a popular Montana ski resort.
Jeffrey Zinne, 37, was riding alone on a three-person chairlift, known as the Triple Chair, at Red Lodge Mountain on Monday (March 10) morning when he fell from an unspecified height.
He was transported to a Billings hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries early Wednesday, a county coroner shared.
Resort spokesperson Troy Hawks confirmed that the lift experienced a mechanical failure at the time of Zinne’s fall but declined to provide further details, citing an ongoing investigation.
At the time of the incident, more than 100 skiers and snowboarders were on the lift. Ski patrollers had to evacuate them by using ropes to lower them safely to the ground.
National Weather Service reported that wind gusts of approximately 50 mph were recorded in the area both before and after the accident.
Hawks stated that the Triple Chairlift, which stretches nearly a mile and has been in operation since 1983, was running within safety parameters at the time. However, it will remain shut down until engineers complete a thorough inspection.
Zinne was a well-known business owner in Billings. He ran Montana Air Cartage, a freight-hauling company, alongside his wife Meghan.
Following his tragic passing at 37, loved ones have shared heartbreaking tribute statements, describing him as a "devoted husband" to his wife and a "caring father" to their two-year-old son. They remembered him for his "passion for life, infectious laughter, and kind-hearted nature," per Daily Mail.
Meghan has encouraged others to honor his memory by cherishing time with their families, adding: "In lieu of more flowers, I ask that you just take your most beloved and go for a drive to the mountains. Nye was always our favorite spot."
A GoFundMe page was launched for Zinne’s family, and it has already raised over $40,794 as of the time of writing - surpassing the $30K goal.
The late man's wife expressed her gratitude for donations and the overwhelming support on the page, writing: "The outpouring of love and support that we’ve received is astonishing. Jeff was so loved. Please know I am seeing your comments and texts. I cannot respond to everyone but it is so appreciated."
While ski lift fatalities are rare, they do happen.
According to ABC News, the National Ski Areas Association reported that 35 people have died in accidents involving chairlifts and aerial ropeways between 1956 and 2024. Sixteen of those deaths were linked to mechanical malfunctions.
The most recent fatal incident occurred in 2020 at Colorado’s Vail Resort when a man’s clothing became entangled in a chairlift, preventing him from breathing.