Back-country skiers are being warned about avalanche risks after a ski patroller was buried by snow at the back of the Coronet Peak ski area on Tuesday.
The man, who dug himself out, was said to be rather shaken by the experience but did not want to talk about it publicly, Coronet Peak ski area manager Hamish McCrostie said.
Skifield owner NZSki said two ski patrol staff had been assessing the stability of the new snow cover about 2.30pm on Tuesday in an area called the Back Bowls. This is an ungroomed place within the ski area boundary just east of the top of the Coronet Express chairlift. It is marked "experts only".
When the patrollers passed through, an avalanche was triggered, sweeping one of them under the snow. His companion immediately alerted other patrollers in the area.
Patrollers are equipped with safety gear including transceiver, radio, shovel, probe and first aid kit, and the man caught in the snow was able to dig himself out unaided and without injury.
Mr McCrostie said the area is fenced off and not yet open to the public. It is monitored closely and only opened to the public when it is assessed as safe.
There is more information in the full article here.
Go carefully!