Japanese authorities continue to investigate after an avalanche at Mount Yotei on the island of Hokkaido killed two New Zealanders.
One of those killed was 21-year-old Christchurch woman Isabella Bolton, while a man in his 30s also died while skiing in a group of six.
It struck a nerve for Waihi Beach woman Robyn Gordon, whose 18-year-old son James and two of his friends were killed while snowboarding at a Japanese skifield back in 2000.
She has devoted much of the 20 years since to teaching avalanche safety in schools, becoming known as the "avalanche lady" as she traversed the country.
Robyn Gordon spoke to Morning Report.
