It was 2016. Kelly Murphy was just trying to have a chill day at the Hakuba 47 Winter Sports Park in Japan. She had her selfie stick out, her headphones on, and she was humming along to Rihanna’s "Work." She had no idea that a few yards behind her, a massive brown bear was in a full-on sprint, trying to close the gap.
The footage is terrifying. Or, depending on who you ask, it’s a total fake.
When the snowboarder girl chased by bear video first hit YouTube, it didn't just go viral—it exploded. People were losing their minds over how close the predator got to her. You can see the bear appearing out of the fog, galloping with that weirdly fast, heavy gait bears have, and disappearing into the treeline just as she picks up speed. It looks like a scene out of a horror movie, but it’s just a girl in a bright pink jacket totally oblivious to the fact that she’s nearly lunch.
But here’s the thing about the internet: it’s skeptical. Rightly so.
The Moment the Snowboarder Girl Chased by Bear Video Went Global
Kelly Murphy uploaded the clip claiming she didn't even realize the bear was there until she looked at her footage later. "OMG! I was going through my snowboarding videos and found a bear chasing me!!!" she wrote.
The internet split in two immediately.
On one side, you had the "nature is scary" crowd. They pointed out that Asian black bears (which are common in the Japanese Alps) are fast and can be aggressive. On the other side, the "CGI sleuths" started picking the video apart frame by frame. They noticed things. The way the bear's shadow didn't quite match the terrain. The way the audio of the bear roaring sounded a bit too "canned," like a stock sound effect from a 90s video game.
Honestly, looking back at it now with 2026 eyes, the debate feels almost nostalgic. We weren't even dealing with deepfakes yet, just good old-fashioned digital editing.
🔗 Read more: Cowboys Score: Why Dallas Just Can't Finish the Job When it Matters
Why the Hakuba 47 Incident Sparked a Wildlife Debate
Even if that specific video raised eyebrows, it touched on a very real fear for people hitting the backcountry. Hakuba is legendary for its powder. It’s also home to the Ursus thibetanus japonicus, or the Japanese black bear.
These aren't grizzlies. They’re smaller, but they’re still powerful animals. Local authorities in Nagano Prefecture actually have "Bear Appearance Information" maps because encounters aren't just a YouTube trope—they're a part of life. When you’re boarding in the trees, you’re in their living room.
Usually, the noise of a snowboard—that rhythmic shred-shred-shred—is enough to scare them off. Bears generally want nothing to do with us. We’re loud, we smell like laundry detergent, and we move unpredictably. But the snowboarder girl chased by bear narrative tapped into the primal fear that sometimes, a bear might decide you're worth the chase.
Real or Fake? The Evidence Against the Viral Clip
Let’s get into the weeds. Why did experts call foul?
First, the audio. If you watch the original clip, you hear the bear growling. Clearly. Almost loudly. But Kelly is wearing headphones and moving downhill at a decent clip. Sound doesn't usually travel like that in a snowy, muffled environment. National Geographic and several video production experts pointed out that the growls sounded remarkably similar to "Bear Growling 01" found in many digital libraries.
Second, the movement. The bear seems to maintain a perfectly cinematic distance. It enters the frame, runs, and exits exactly when the camera angle shifts. It’s almost too well-framed.
The Hakuba 47 resort staff themselves were pretty quiet about it. You’d think if a predatory bear was actively hunting tourists on the groomed runs, they’d close the lifts, right? They didn’t. In fact, many locals in the Nagano region said they hadn't seen a bear in that specific area during that time of year because, well, hibernation is a thing.
💡 You might also like: Jake Paul Mike Tyson Tattoo: What Most People Get Wrong
The Psychology of Why We Wanted to Believe It
We love a "near-miss" story.
There is something about the "oblivious human" trope that resonates. The fact that she was singing Rihanna while a literal apex predator was snapping at her heels made it the perfect metaphor for the modern age. We’re all Kelly Murphy. We’re all just vibing with our headphones on while the "bears" of life—stress, debt, global crises—are sprinting behind us.
Whether the snowboarder girl chased by bear was a clever bit of viral marketing for a film project or a genuine prank, it served a purpose. It reminded us that the wilderness is still wild.
Staying Safe in Bear Country: Lessons for Real Snowboarders
Ignore the CGI for a second. If you actually find yourself in a situation where a bear is interested in you on the mountain, the "Rihanna strategy" isn't the move.
Real experts, like those from the National Park Service or wildlife biologists who study mountain ecosystems, suggest a few things that actually work.
- Don't be a silent ninja. Most bear encounters happen because the human surprised the bear. If you’re snowboarding in dense trees or "sidecountry," make noise. Talk to your buddies. Clap. Heck, sing Rihanna if you have to, but do it out loud.
- The "Look Big" Rule. If you see a bear and it sees you, don't just point your nose downhill and pray you're faster. (Bears can hit 35 mph. You probably can't, unless you're on a steep groomer). Stand your ground. Hold your snowboard up over your head. It makes you look like a giant, weird-shaped creature they don't want to fight.
- Never run away. This is the hardest part. Running triggers a predatory chase instinct. If you run, you're a rabbit. If you stand still or back away slowly, you're a boring human.
- Carry Bear Spray? In most Japanese and North American resorts, you don't need this on the marked trails. But if you’re doing split-boarding or deep backcountry in places like Hokkaido or the Rockies, it’s a standard piece of kit.
What the Locals Say About Hakuba Bears
I've talked to people who have lived in the Hakuba Valley for decades. They’ll tell you that bears are mostly a "spring and autumn" problem. In the spring, they wake up hungry. In the autumn, they’re frantically eating everything in sight to prep for the big sleep.
In the dead of winter? When there’s ten feet of snow on the ground? A bear chasing a snowboarder is statistically about as likely as winning the lottery while being struck by lightning. They’re tucked away in dens, conserving calories.
📖 Related: What Place Is The Phillies In: The Real Story Behind the NL East Standings
This was one of the biggest "gotchas" for the snowboarder girl chased by bear video. The snow depth in the video looks like mid-winter. The likelihood of a bear being out and about—and having the energy to chase a human through deep powder—is incredibly low.
The Legacy of Viral Wildlife Hoaxes
Kelly Murphy’s video paved the way for a whole genre of "nature is coming for you" content. We’ve seen the "Eagle Snatches Baby" video (proven fake), the "GoPro Great White Shark" video (proven fake), and dozens of others.
They all follow the same formula:
- High-quality POV footage.
- A moment of extreme vulnerability.
- A "just missed me" ending.
- Immediate viral traction on Reddit and YouTube.
In the end, the snowboarder girl chased by bear remains a masterpiece of its era. Even if it was a hoax, it captured the imagination of millions. It made us look over our shoulders the next time we stepped into the bindings. It made us appreciate the quiet, slightly creepy stillness of a foggy mountain morning.
If you’re heading out to the mountains this season, don't stress too much about bears. Stress about your edge control. Stress about the guy in the "Jerry" outfit who doesn't know how to merge onto the trail.
But maybe, just maybe, keep one earbud out. Just in case.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Mountain Trip
If you want to stay safe and actually know what's going on in the woods, do these things:
- Check the Resort’s Wildlife Report. Most major mountains (especially in Canada, the US, and Japan) keep a log of sightings. If there's a "hot" bear in the area, the rangers will tell you.
- Ride with a Buddy. Not just for bear protection, but because tree wells and hidden rocks are much more likely to get you than a bear. A buddy can dig you out. A bear won't.
- Learn the Difference Between Species. If you’re in North America, knowing a Black Bear from a Grizzly changes how you react (Black bear: fight back. Grizzly: play dead). In Japan, you're dealing with Asian Black Bears—generally, make yourself big and loud.
- Respect the Closures. If a trail is closed for "environmental reasons" or "wildlife activity," stay out. It’s not just for your safety; it’s to give the animals the space they need to survive the winter.
- Verify Before You Share. Next time you see a "crazy" wildlife video, look at the shadow. Look at the frame rate. Check the date. Don't be the person who gets fooled by the next digital bear.