Snowboarder dies after falling from ski chairlift at Red Lodge Mountain in Montana

A snowboarder at a southern Montana ski resort was killed Monday after falling from a chair lift, according to a social media post from the ski resort where it happened.

“Yesterday was an unfortunate day at Red Lodge Mountain as a guest was injured as the result of a chair lift incident,” the resort shared on Facebook Tuesday morning, adding that the guest was on the Triple Chair. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the guest and his friends and family, and all guests and employees impacted by this incident.”

Loved ones and Carbon County Sheriff Josh McQuillan identified the man as 37-year-old Jeffrey Zinne.

He died after a fall from the Triple Chair at Red Lodge Mountain, Sheriff McQuillan said Friday, adding that the accident remains under investigation.

He was life-flighted to a hospital in Billings, where he died on Wednesday, according to Esther Jensen, a GoFundMe organizer raising funds for his family.

He was pronounced dead early Wednesday morning, KTVQ reported. According to KTVQ, the coroner's office said his cause of death was accidental blunt force injury.

The coroner did not immediately responded to USA TODAY’s requests for comment Friday morning.

In an updated statement Friday afternoon, Red Lodge Mountain said the company is "deeply saddened" by Zinne's death.

"Our most heartfelt condolences go out to Mr. Zinne’s family and friends," the company said, adding that safety is a top priority at the facility. "We are working in cooperation with the Carbon County Sheriff's Office and Iron Mountain Engineering, an independent professional lift inspector, to understand how this tragedy occurred. Until more is known, the Triple Chair will remain closed."

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Meteorologist says there were strong winds in the area the day man died

USA TODAY spoke with Peter Matos, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Billings Friday morning.

While the National Weather Service doesn’t have a weather observation site at Red Lodge Mountain, there are some close by, Matos said. One site is the Timbercrest site, Matos said. Around 11:15 a.m. on Monday, the Timbercrest site recorded wind gusts up to 50 miles-per-hour, coming in from the west. At 12:15 p.m. that day, the site recorded wind gusts around 52 miles-per-hour. Citing local reports, Matos said Zinne fell around noon.

“Those winds, they can make it over onto the other side of the mountain,” Matos said to USA TODAY on Friday. “Red Lodge is known for having strong downslope winds out of the southwest. We know that it was pretty windy across the entire area that day.”

A sweep of Red Lodge Mountain’s Facebook page shows that facility managers have previously shut down lifts due to strong winds and maintenance. For example, a January 2021 post reads in part: “Due to winds of 49+MPH at the top of Triple Chair, all lifts are currently on hold.”

'Love you, Dada guy': Remembering Jeffrey Zinne

In the GoFundMe description, organizers said Zinne’s death was a “tragic accident.”

“This unexpected loss has left his family, friends, and all who knew him heartbroken and in disbelief,” Jensen, the organizer, wrote. “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.”

According to Jensen, he put others before himself and was president of Montana Air Cartage. The company offers local shipping services and has been in business since the late 1980s, according to their website.

Jensen shared in the fundraiser description that Zinne’s widow and the couple’s son are grieving while also facing mounting financial burdens. 

“Your contribution will make a significant difference in providing financial stability for Jeff's family,” Jensen wrote. “All funds raised will go directly to his wife and son to help with funeral costs and medical expenses.”

The fundraiser ended with a note from the couple's toddler son: "Love you, Dada Guy".