Four people have been accounted for and are now safe following an avalanche in the back country west of Wānaka.
A police spokeswoman said emergency services were alerted to the avalanche at about 2.30pm.
One person received minor injuries.
Mike Daisley, chief executive of the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council (MSC), said the “very serious, potentially life-threatening” avalanche was one of two in the Wānaka area yesterday.
“While details are still limited at this early stage, both avalanches occurred in backcountry terrain outside the ski area boundary. Given the current conditions, travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended in this area.”
The incident occurred one or two kilometres from the Treble Cone Ski Area.
A Treble Cone Ski Field area spokesperson told The NZ Herald the avalanche occurred in the backcountry, and their avalanche response team was on standby but not required.
Queenstown and Wānaka currently are currently at “considerable” risk of avalanche, according to the MSC’s avalanche.net.nz, while Fiordland is at high risk.
“High danger means very dangerous avalanche conditions exist. Natural avalanches are likely and human-triggered avalanches are very likely,” Mr Daisley said.
“At this danger rating, the alpine backcountry is not a sensible place to be.”
Police Search and Rescue was advised about the incident, however it did not attend.
– Additional reporting RNZ