Heavy Snow in New Zealand With ‘High’ Risk of Avalanches
15th September 2024
Last modified on September 18th, 2024
All eyes may be on the snow in the Alps at the moment but it’s snowing heavily in New Zealand. One resort was temporarily cut off.
Update from the North Island:
The Mountain Safety Council of New Zealand has warned of a high avalanche risk in the Aoraki/Mt Cook region on the South Island.
There has been significant snowfall at low altitude and the Council warns of a ‘substantial cycle of loose wet avalanches’ as the temperature rises.
In the high alpine zone, above 2000 metres, there is an avalanche risk of Level 4 on a scale of 5, meaning there is ‘High’ risk.
At alpine elevations between 1,500m and 2,000m the risk is considered ‘Considerable’ – Level 3.
Hundreds of skiers and boarders were left trapped at the top of the Remarkables resort on Friday as the access road was closed due to the avalanche risk.
It was later re-opened and people were able to leave the resort.
It has seen up to 50cm of new snow in recent days.
One of PlanetSKI’s regular readers is the former GB ski racer, Martin Bell, who is in Cardrona on the South Island.
Beautiful morning at Cardrona Ski Area! pic.twitter.com/8SZX3YpVJO
— Martin Bell (@skimartinbell) September 14, 2024
The conditions in New Zealand are in contrast to Australia that has seen resorts close early amid poor snow conditions.
Here at PlanetSKI we’ll keep you posted…
