More data available for alpine areas

• Published date: 23 June 2022

The MSC and Niwa have both released new snow data resources this month to help alpine adventurers and organisations make decisions about winter excursions into high altitude snow zones. MSC chief executive Mike Daisley said there needed to be a grace period to let the snow settle

Ski areas, guiding operations and heli-ski companies are not yet fully operational. Avalanche assessments are under way.

‘‘This lack of data means there will be an extra layer of uncertainty for a few weeks, so conservative decision-making is a must,’’ Mr Daisley said.

The MSC has added a new region, Aspiring, to its New Zealand Avalanche Advisory forecasting network.

The MSC’s advisory can be used by climbers, skiers, hunters and trampers venturing into alpine backcountry around Wanaka, Queenstown and Mt Aspiring National Park, including Mt Brewster and Treble Cone.

‘‘The original Wanaka region was very difficult to forecast, leaving users struggling to accurately decipher the parts of the forecast which were relevant to them due to the sheer size and varying conditions within the region.

‘‘More often than not, the high altitude and proximity to the main divide of Mt Aspiring meant the danger rating was often ‘high’ or ‘considerable’ for the region, even though in the eastern areas such as the Treble Cone backcountry, where participation is higher for most of winter, the conditions weren’t as severe,’’ Mr Daisley said.

Forecasting has been scheduled to run from July 1 to November 30 but could be extended or shortened, based on conditions.

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