NEW ZEALAND – One person was fully buried in an avalanche while skiing in the backcountry near New Zealand’s Treble Cone Ski Area on Monday. According to Otaga Daily Times, emergency services were called to the area following the avalanche, with Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter sending one helicopter to the scene.
The New Zealand Avalanche Advisory currently has Wanaka, a region that includes Treble Cone and the surrounding backcountry, at a level 4 danger, stating that backcountry travel is not recommended in the area. The report, issued Monday and continuing into Tuesday, states that any high alpine terrain in the area has very dangerous avalanche conditions.
“Treble Cone’s got a lot of grass underneath it, there’s been significant snow loading with a lot of wind over the last few days, and it’s either gone on a layer, or it’s gone right to ground and slipped off the grass.” – Alpine climbing guide Chris Prudden
According to the public observation made through the New Zealand Avalanche Advisory, the victim was the first skier in a party of five to drop down the run, making several turns across a chute before the slope broke about 20m (~65 feet) above the skier. The avalanche completely buried the skier and two members in the party began a transceiver search. Fortunately the victim was found and a airway was cleared after about 7 minutes.
As an emergency device had been set off, a rescue helicopter did arrive on scene. Fortunately the victim was uninjured and was able to make an air pocket as the avalanche was going down, so they did not lose consciousness. The helicopter flew the party back to the ski area.
Treble Cone Ski Area has multiple backcountry gates around the mountain, allowing skiers and snowboarders to access incredible terrain. However, terrain outside the gates is not avalanche mitigated, and those who choose to exit should do so with an understanding of the risks they are taking. In this case, the party exited through the resort’s Towers Gate, moving south along the Towers Ridge.
New Zealand Avalanche Advisory Observation:
Our party of 5 skiers made our way south along the Towers Ridge from the Towers Gate. We traveled along the ridge, knocking cornice blocks off along the way, with no signs of cracking, whumphing or avalanches. We skied the top pitch with dry, low density snow. It was good skiing! We then decided to continue down the steeper lower pitch of the Commitment Chutes, south towards the north branch of the Motatapu River. With a change in aspect, elevation and terrain we retrospectively agreed that we should have investigated the snowpack by digging a pit before dropping in, with more uncertainty and commitment in this terrain. We all congregated just at the top of the rollover before the first skier dropped into the chute. The skier made a ski cut across the top, with no result, and continued on, making 2 turns before fractures broke across the entire width of the chute, breaking about 20m above the skier. We watched the skier for the duration of their ride, before the avalanche stopped. The skier was not visible. Two rescuers began a transceiver search from the last seen point, one activated their Inreach, and one tried to make a 111 call (no service) before descending. The transceiver’s lowest reading was .9, the victim was probed, digging began and their airway was cleared at about 7 minutes. No loss of consciousness or injuries occurred for the victim. The victim was able to successfully clear an air pocket around their face by punching at the snow as the avalanche was slowing down. A rescue helicopter responded quickly thanks to the InReach SOS and transported the party back to the ski area. The weak layer was likely a persistent weak layer buried last week. The slab was soft- fist hard- and the area didn’t appear wind loaded. Of particular note, is that 3 of the party members are avalanche professionals. We realize we made mistakes, and it’s a valuable lesson in recognizing that there’s times where anyone can let their guard down and get caught out no matter your skill level or experience.
