Avalanche
The New Zealand Herald reports that a heliskier was killed in an avalanche in New Zealand’s Southern Alps on Wednesday, September 25, in the remote Arrowsmith Range of Mid Canterbury, approximately 80 miles (130 kilometers) west of Christchurch. The skier was identified as heliski guide Brett Evans, aged 38, who worked with Methven Heliski.
Emergency services received the distress call at 12:25 p.m. local time. Despite swift response efforts, including the dispatch of rescue helicopters and ground teams, the victim was in critical condition when recovered around 1:00 p.m. and succumbed to their injuries shortly after. The other skiers on the trip were uninjured.
The avalanche struck during a heliskiing expedition, and the rest of the group emerged unscathed. Several heliski outfits offer skiing in the Arrowsmiths, but the company the group used has not been confirmed. The danger rating for the area is currently High.
“Alpine travel is not recommended through Thursday. 50-100cm of snow is forecast about the Divide, lowering to valley floor by evening. Avoid travel in confined valleys near the Divide (hoophorn, birch hill stream, black birch stream etc). Avalanching to valley floor is possible.”
– New Zealand Avalanche Advisory 9/25/24
Mike Daisley, Chief Executive of the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council, had recently warned of heightened avalanche risks in the region. “The avalanche risk has stepped up from considerable to high. That’s what we’re expecting to see for the next couple of weeks,” Daisley stated earlier this month. On Monday, an avalanche just outside the Treble Cone ski area buried a backcountry skier under three feet of snow.
The Mountain Safety Council emphasizes proper training, equipment, and decision-making when venturing into backcountry terrain.
