Industry News
An American skier died on Tuesday, February 18, after being buried in deep snow at the Geto Kogen Ski Resort in Japan’s Iwate Prefecture. The man was identified as Kyle Watson from Seattle, who was the founder and CEO of ADL Ski Club. Watson had been guiding ski groups in Japan for several weeks before the fatal accident.
According to local authorities, Watson was skiing with two others in a forested area outside the resort’s designated trails when he was caught in an avalanche or a deep snow immersion event. His companions reported him missing around 11:30 a.m., prompting a four-hour search effort. Rescue teams later discovered him in cardiac arrest in the snow in a restricted zone near a gondola. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Police are investigating the circumstances of the accident, including whether Watson and his group had ignored resort warnings. Geto Kogen’s operators confirmed that the area where he was found is clearly marked as off-limits, with signboards and announcements discouraging entry. The resort’s backcountry terrain is well known among powder-seeking skiers, but heavy snowfall and strong winds at the time of the incident had significantly increased avalanche risk. In addition, several avalanche warnings had been given for the Tohoku region for the last few days.
Geto Kogen is situated in the Tohoku region in the north of Honshu—Japan’ main island—and is renowned for its deep powder and extensive tree runs. Located in Kitakami, Iwate Prefecture, it boasts an annual snowfall of over 15 meters (39 feet), making it one of Japan’s snowiest resorts. With an elevation of 1,070 meters (3,510 feet) and a vertical drop of 430 meters (1,410 feet), the resort features six gondolas and lifts, offering access to well-groomed runs as well as extensive off-piste terrain.
Despite its relatively small size compared to major Japanese ski destinations like Hakuba or Niseko, Geto Kogen has gained a reputation among advanced skiers for its challenging tree skiing and sidecountry access. However, resort officials have repeatedly warned of the dangers of venturing beyond designated areas, particularly in periods of heavy snowfall.
Watson was an experienced skier and an active figure in the global ski community. His company, ADL Ski Club, organized trips to destinations around the world. Friends and family have launched a GoFundMe campaign to support funeral and memorial expenses.
I’ve got friends in the amga and friends in japan, and what the Japanese especially are telling the americans, or gaijin if you will, is don’t send any more guides over to Japan because your not wanted. There’s this youtube video of a japanese girl in a snow hole, and there’s twenty five people helping her, and not one is from japan all gaijin. So once again the internet has ruined that which was cool and groovy to where now its a Show.
This story is very fresh and there is a lot of conjecture ongoing about what really happened. Kyle had years of experience in Japan and was not careless. He had proper avalanche gear and training. Unfortunately the dragon can kill anyone. RIP