Backcountry skiers and snowboarders are being urged to exercise heightened caution following three alarming near-misses with avalanches over the weekend near popular ski areas.
On Saturday, a skier narrowly avoided being swept away by a human-triggered avalanche in the Craigieburn Range, close to the Porters ski area. Similarly, in the Mackenzie district, a snowboarder set off a massive avalanche, stretching 250 meters in length and 50 meters in width, near Fox Peak ski area. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in either incident.
Both avalanches involved persistent slabs—dangerous snow layers that are notoriously difficult to detect and predict. On Sunday, a search operation was launched on Mount Ruapehu after signs of an avalanche were discovered outside the ski area by the Turoa ski patrol. No individuals were found during the search.
Mike Daisley, Chief Executive of the Mountain Safety Council, emphasized the gravity of the situation. “We are fortunate that there were no injuries despite these close calls,” Daisley remarked. “However, it is crucial for all skiers and snowboarders to recognize that any terrain outside established ski field boundaries should be treated as backcountry. This terrain carries inherent risks that require careful management.”
Daisley advises that to navigate these risky areas safely, backcountry enthusiasts should consult the NZ Avalanche Advisory for up-to-date avalanche forecasts and adjust their plans accordingly. Proper training and carrying avalanche rescue equipment are also essential, he added.
The Avalanche Advisory rated the avalanche danger as moderate to considerable across most of the 13 backcountry alpine regions over the weekend, underscoring the need for vigilance and preparedness among those venturing into these challenging environments.
related topics:
