A snowboarder who fell from a ski lift at Red Lodge Mountain in Montana has died from his injuries. The man, identified as Jeffrey Zinne, fell from the resort’s Triple Chair lift on Monday and was flown to a hospital in Billings, where he passed away on Wednesday. The coroner determined his death was caused by accidental blunt force trauma.
At the time of the fall, gusty winds were reported in the area. The ski lift was shut down following the incident, forcing resort staff to evacuate more than 100 stranded skiers using ropes.
Red Lodge Mountain spokesperson Troy Hawks confirmed that there was a mechanical issue with the lift, though he did not specify the exact problem. The Triple Chairlift, built in 1983, spans about a mile. Hawks noted that all lifts undergo daily safety checks by staff, and professional inspectors conduct annual inspections as required by the resort’s insurance and the U.S. Forest Service, which leases the land to the resort.
“Jeff was a devoted husband to his loving wife, Meghan, and a caring father to his 2-year-old son. His passion for life, infectious laughter, and kind-hearted nature touched everyone around him. He was a man who always put others first, whether it was supporting his family, being there for his friends, or bringing joy to those lucky enough to spend time with him. Jeff and his wife were also devoted local business owners of Montana Air Cartage,” Zinne’s GoFundMe reads.
According to the National Ski Areas Association, deadly ski lift accidents are rare, with only 35 fatalities recorded between 1956 and 2024.
Zinne is survived by his wife and their 2-year-old son. Local news reports indicate that he donated his heart and kidney, leaving behind a legacy of generosity even in tragedy.
