KEY POINTS:
The New Zealand Mountain Safety Council today urged people to avoid backcountry travel in the Arthur's Pass region because of extreme avalanche conditions.
Mountain Safety Council programme manager Steve Schreiber said up to one metre of fresh snow had fallen in the region in the past two to three days and strong winds were buffeting the region now.
More snow and strong to gale force winds were expected in the next few days.
Other regions of concern in the Canterbury region included the Craigieburn Range, the Arrowsmiths/Mt. Hutt Region and the mountains from the head waters of the Rakaia to the Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park, Mr Schreiber said.
"There has been significant snowfalls with strong winds and widespread avalanche activity is expected on all aspects and elevations."
Climbers, trampers, snowboarders and skiers should avoid all backcountry travel in Arthur's Pass Region and limit exposure to low angle avalanche terrain in the mountains from the National Park to Aoraki/Mt Cook until weather and snowpack conditions were more stable.
Mr Schreiber said backcountry travellers should keep up-to-date with avalanche advisories.
- NZPA
