Avalanche
Nine skiers narrowly escaped injury following an avalanche in the Remarkables backcountry near Queenstown, New Zealand.
- Related: Climbers Survive Avalanche Then Dig Snowcave to Spend Unplanned Night in Remarkables, New Zealand
Three separate groups were on the mountainside when the slide was triggered, rated a three on a scale of one to five. At one point, up to nine people were missing. Joe O’Connor was caught and carried 330 feet (100m) down the mountain before stopping buried up to his waist. He described the moment of impact when the avalanche hit him as a boom akin to a shotgun going off nearby. His partner was situated slightly to the side, missing the main brunt of the avalanche.
“Before I knew it, I was sliding, and I couldn’t control where I was going.”
– Joe O’Connor to the NZ Mountain Safety Council (MSC).
The event was witnessed by seasoned alpinists nearby, who swiftly alerted search and rescue teams. The response was rapid, with three helicopters deploying ski patrol teams and dogs to assist the pair. Neither O’Connor nor his mate sustained severe injuries.
“We had to move down through the debris, which was quite difficult. Because a lot of it was big, hard chunks…Some of them like the size of small cars, you know, like a Mini. We did a search, went right down to the bottom, and couldn’t get any transceiver signals. As we got to the bottom, the first helicopter came in over the ridge.”
– Alpine Cliff Rescue Team leader Russ Tilsley
The avalanche was 660 feet (200 meters) wide, 2,600 feet (800 meters) long, and 13 feet (four meters) deep by its end.
🚨🚨DEPLOYED 🚨🚨
Three of our avalanche dog teams were deployed to the Doolan’s backcountry avalanche event behind The Remarkables earlier today to search with ski patrol teams from Remarkables Ski Patrol, Cardrona Alpine Resort, NZ and Coronet Peak in order to give a high level of confidence the site was clear.
Everyone is very glad for a positive outcome with all party members accounted for. A big thank you to all that were involved or supported these efforts – heaps goes into training both the humans and the canines to be ready to deploy should events like this occur.
Well done to Rudi, Stellar and Rosko and their handlers. 🐕🦺🐕🦺🐕🦺
O’Connor referred to the incident as an “eye-opener,” emphasizing the unpredictability of the backcountry despite appropriate precautions. Both men had followed protocols, checking in with authorities before embarking on their skiing adventure. The duo intended to hike and skin into the backcountry, planning to do downhill runs. All their pre-run snowpack tests passed without raising concerns.
“We talked to ski patrol, and they said it should be pretty safe over there, but of course, there is always the danger there, so be cautious.”
– Joe O’Connor
The Mountain Safety Council urges anyone venturing into the backcountry to check the forecast, get proper training, and pack the correct equipment.
The Remarkables mountain range, located in the Otago region of New Zealand, is a major attraction for outdoor enthusiasts worldwide. Renowned for their jagged peaks and unique geological formations running directly north to south, these mountains serve as a striking backdrop to the adventure capital of Queenstown. They host one of the most popular ski fields in New Zealand, aptly named The Remarkables Ski Field. Boasting a range of slopes suitable for beginners to advanced skiers and snowboarders, this ski field offers a diverse alpine experience with stunning panoramic views over Lake Wakatipu. The region’s high altitude and south-facing aspects ensure consistent snow conditions throughout the winter season.
