A tragic incident occurred at Red Lodge Mountain ski area in Montana, resulting in the death of a 37-year-old man. Jeffrey Zinne fell from a malfunctioning chairlift while riding alone, sustaining fatal injuries. The accident occurred during high winds, and the lift was stopped immediately afterward. More than 100 individuals on the lift at the time were safely evacuated by ski patrollers.
Red Lodge Mountain spokesperson Troy Hawks stated that the Triple Chairlift, where the incident took place, was operating within safety parameters but has been shut down pending a full assessment by an engineer. The ski area inspects its chairlifts daily, with annual professional inspections mandated by insurance and land leasing regulations.
Zinne, a married father and business owner, was remembered fondly by his colleagues for his leadership and camaraderie. Fatal lift accidents are uncommon in the ski industry, with just 35 documented deaths between 1956 and 2024. Investigations into the circumstances of Zinne’s death are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the tragic incident.
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