Montana Snowboarder Dies After Ski Lift Malfunction

A Montana man has died after he fell from a chairlift on Monday, March 10, 2025.

Jeffrey Zinne, 37, fell off of a three-person chair at Red Lodge Mountain. The incident happened around noon local time. Zinne was taken to a hospital in Billings, and was pronounced dead early Wednesday, Carbon County Sheriff Josh McQuillan and Rich Hoffman of the county coroner’s office told the Associated Press. 

Red Lodge spokesperson Troy Hawks said that the lift had a malfunction when Zinne fell. Zinne was riding alone, and there were about 100 other people who had to be evacuated by ski patrollers via rope, according to the AP. Wind gusts as high as 50 miles per hour were recorded earlier that day, the National Weather Service reported.

“We place a top priority on the safety of all of our lifts and lift operations, and perform daily, weekly, monthly, and annual safety measures to better ensure the safe operation of our lifts,” resort officials said in a Facebook post. “The Triple Chair will remain closed this morning as we continue to investigate the incident and will reopen only when we can ensure the continued safe operation of the lift.”

Zinne was a husband and a father of a 2-year-old. He and his wife Meghan owned a local courier and delivery business.

“His passion for life, infectious laughter, and kind-hearted nature touched everyone around him,” a GoFundMe states. “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.”