Since my last blog we have had a series of storm fronts drop snow on Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Cardrona and Treble Cone. All the ski areas further north have also recieved snow.
CP got approximately 20 - 25 cms at the top of the mountain and is skiing and riding very well as it has just topped up the base very nicely.
The heli skiing has also come alive again but due to the very unstable snow pack all the operators are using low angle terrain to negate the avalanche risk.
Unfortunately a heli ski operator near Mt Hutt had a incident yesterday that resulted in the first avalanche fatality in 5 years in NZ. The group had 2 guides with them and were being incredibly careful and still one let rip buring 2 skiers and a partial burial of the 3rd skier. The guides dug out both skiers in 7 minutes but one skier had died most likely from other underlying health issues but this will be clarified over the next few days.
Certainly travel in the back country is not recommended right now as the danger is extreme and avalanches have been running to the ground in places. It would pay to give it a day or two before touring to let things settle and a high degree of caution should be used. It would pay to check with your local ski patrol about conditions and also check out www.avalanche.net.nz for up to date reports.
If you are going into the back country do your homework and take all the safety gear such as transceiver, probe and shovel and know how to use them - your life or your friends life may depend on it!
In the mean time come and have a private ski lesson with me at Coronet Peak and I will give you some useful techniques on how to ski big fat powder so your time in the heli skiing is well used.
The weather looks like we are in for regular snow falls now for the next month so now is certainly the time to get to the snow.
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