Avalanche Safety

Within seconds of an avalanche being triggered, tonnes of snow can surge down a slope reaching speeds of over 100km an hour. This immense force of nature can be fatal. Backcountry avalanche terrain is neither patrolled nor controlled by professionals, so if you’re planning to go beyond the ski area boundary into the backcountry, it’s vital to be well trained in avalanche safety and rescue techniques, no matter what the time of year. This is equally important for skiers, boarders, climbers, trampers and hunters.

Improve Your Avalanche IQ

  • Do you know how to recognise and avoid dangerous avalanche terrain?
  • Do you know how to use avalanche rescue equipment?
  • Do you have a transceiver, a probe and a shovel?
  • Do you know what weather sequences lead to avalanche conditions?
  • Do you know how to use the New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZAA) forecast?

The Avalanche Tips and Terms: From the forecast to the field video series breaks down essential knowledge you need for avalanche safety – from the basics of avalanche terminology, to interpreting the NZAA forecast, recognising problem terrain and making safe decisions in the mountains. Find out more and watch it here.

Prepare for Your Trip

Three Components of Avalanche Safety

Safety in avalanche terrain diagram indicating 'forecast', 'equipment' and 'training'

To be avalanche aware, you need to cover the three key components of avalanche safety before you head to the backcountry.

1. Get the training

You need to have the necessary skills and training to identify and avoid avalanches, and rescue others if things go wrong.

2. Get the forecast

The current weather forecast and avalanche advisory for your region are essential for your decision-making, including whether or not you go. The New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZAA), provided by the Mountain Safety Council, is integral for anyone planning on travelling in backcountry avalanche terrain for recreation. At avalanche.net.nz you will find a danger rating, a description of the most likely avalanche problems you will come across, insight into recent avalanche activity, a description of the snowpack and more. NZAA and MSC recommend checking the mountain weather forecast provided by MetService as part of your trip planning.

3. Take the right equipment

In the event of an avalanche rescue, you need the equipment to save your own or someone else's life. Carry an avalanche transceiver, probe, and metal-blade shovel, and know how to use them.

When in Avalanche Terrain

Avalanche terrain is anywhere where there is a slope steep enough for an avalanche to occur, or directly below terrain of this nature. If you haven't done any training, you might not even know you're in it!

While you are out in avalanche terrain, it will take your skills and concentration to analyse the snowpack using recommended tests and observations to assess the likelihood of an avalanche being triggered. Check your surroundings for recent avalanche activity, changes in terrain, snowpack and weather. Learn how to recognise avalanche terrain, and when an instability exists, know how to avoid the problem.

Watch our Avalanche Tips and Terms video series and learn about:

Avalanche Rescue Techniques

Even with the forecast, conservative decision-making, and careful route planning, you might need to apply your rescue techniques in the event of an avalanche. Watch the video below to learn what this might entail and book a practical course to learn how to save a life using this specialist equipment.

Last edited: August 2026