One person injured in Treble Cone avalanche

Four people have been accounted for and are safe following an avalanche in the Treble Cone Ski Field area.

Emergency services were alerted to the avalanche at around 2.30pm.

One person is reported to have received minor injuries in relation to the incident.

Police Search and Rescue was advised, however did not attend.

The avalanche danger for the Wānaka area is rated as High.

Observations have been restricted since Thursday by a North West storm. Expect a cycle of natural avalanches to have occurred over the past few days. A skier was caught in a Size 2.5 slab avalanche near Mt. Alta on Sunday - Aspect SE, Elevation 1900m. The slab appears to have failed on a facet layer or possibly buried surface hoar (see Persistent Slab problem). Control work at Treble Cone over the past week has produced numerous Wind Slab results on East and South East aspects. If you see evidence of avalanches in the back country please enter a public observation. "

Source: NZ Mountain Safety Council.

RealNZ, the operators of the ski field, have been approached for comment.