A woman's snowboard stopped short of her plunging into an underground river.

Terrifying footage shows the tourist's snowboard perilously perched over the underground river, which is seen flowing rapidly through two holes in the thick snow covering it.

Reports indicate that the holidaymaker from China had been skiing in Hokkaido, Japan, when the incident occurred on January 1.

Scarcely able to believe her situation, she can be seen clinging to the snow, hesitant to move for fear of falling into the freezing water and being swept away.

Local media reported that she was rescued by a passing bystander and suffered no serious injuries.

Skiing is a recreational activity and competitive sport in which individuals use skis to glide over snow. It typically involves descending snow-covered slopes on skis, which are long, narrow boards strapped to the feet. Skiing can be done on various types of terrain, such as mountains, resorts, or cross-country trails.