A series of human-triggered avalanches in the Southern Lakes area has NZ Avalanche Advisory (NZAA) forecasters reminding backcountry users not to underestimate the ‘spooky’ snowpack conditions.  

Conditions are highly variable across the Southern Lakes area and an early season persistent weak layer (PWL) has developed around Wānaka and Queenstown with near-daily avalanches occurring.   

Queenstown avalanche forecasters Chris Cochrane and Will Rowntree define the avalanche danger in the area as moderate and describe the current snowpack conditions as “a little spooky”.  

“We are seeing backcountry users triggering avalanches on a daily basis - this is certainly not normal,” Chris said. 

“The snowpack is getting weaker, not stronger, so we ask users for a conservative approach when planning a trip into the backcountry.”

On Wednesday (July 5), two backcountry skiers triggered a large (size 2.5) avalanche behind The Remarkables. The 250m wide avalanche carried one skier, who lost gear, but was luckily uninjured. 

The following day a further two large avalanches were triggered by backcountry users. 

They are a timely reminder that the current conditions require a high degree of caution and vigilance, Chris said.   

The current warning is also a good reminder for ice climbers and mountaineers as triggering even a small pocket of wind slab avalanche could result in a fall in difficult terrain, he added.

NZ Mountain Safety Council (NZMSC) chief executive Mike Daisley said that in the last week alone there has been a hive of activity around the Southern Lakes, especially out of bounds from The Remarkables Ski Area.  

“While it’s natural that everyone’s buzzing for a winter adventure, there’s a growing concern that luck could run out,” Mike said.

“If you’re thinking of heading out of the ski area boundary, it’s essential you are prepared for the backcountry. That means making sure you have checked the avalanche advisory and understand it.”

He said backcountry-goers should also have avalanche rescue equipment and know how to use it, go with a buddy, and be in the right mindset (be mentally prepared to assess the conditions and be prepared to turn back).

“Ski areas and heli ski operators have only recently started up for the season and with a slow start to the snow arriving we’re still in quite a low data period, this means our avalanche forecasters are building a picture of the snowpack with limited data, the public can really help us to help them by sharing observations.”  

The NZAA forecasters will update the 13 regional forecasts at the Avalanche Advisory website on a daily basis, or as conditions change and new information becomes available, and the website also offers practical safety advice.  

Mike also encourages people to submit public observations via the website to share knowledge and any activity in the mountains as the early season can be a low-data period.