New Zealand Avalanche Advisories

Some of us live for backcountry skiing and boarding, but each year a number of people are caught in avalanches when skiing outside ski area boundaries, and some die (3 so far in 2009). So it’s imperative if you do ski “out of bounds” that you know and can identify the risks, and know what to do if things turn pear shaped.

Avalanche above Mueller Glacier, Mt Cook National http://www.photonewzealand.com 15, August 2009

Backcountry Skiing and Avalanche Awareness

We’ve love to be able to bring you New Zealand avalanche advisories, but we can't currently display them on our site. We're talking with the Mountain Safety Council about doing so.

OK, so what should you do?  Every time you leave the ski area boundary, even if it’s just outside “for some freshies”, you should:

• Before leaving home, check the weather and snow conditions on www.avalanche.net.nz.
• Before leaving the ski area boundary check the avalanche danger level that most areas have signs for.
• Obey ALL "closed" signs - they exist for a very good reason.
• Check the surroundings for recent avalanche activity, changes in terrain, snowpack and weather.
• Analyse the snowpack stability using recommended tests, or check with ski patrol.
• Carry avalanche transceivers, probes and metal-blade shovels.
• Travel one at a time across potential avalanche slopes.

The Mountain Safety Council offers a number of resources, such as the guide, “Avalanche Awareness in the New Zealand Backcountry “ as well as running avalanche awareness courses.  Also check the MSCs Backcountry "Must Do's" Checklist.

We highly recommend if you intend skiing or boarding out of bounds that you become avalanche aware. Have fun in the backcountry, safely!