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Investigations into the death of a snowboarder will consider whether warning signs near hazards on advanced trails are sufficient.
Wellington-based graphic designer Adele Sawyer, 29, fell up to 15m three weeks ago, through a narrow hole in an area at Turoa known as the Organ Pipes. She and two female companions had been trying to climb back up the slope to avoid the hazard after feeling unsafe traversing some melting snow.
The Department of Labour and police launched separate investigations after the death and last week Palmerston North coroner Carla na Nagara revealed she had visited the accident site and spoken to witnesses.
Nagara said an inquest next year would help determine whether the mountain operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts, should make changes to prevent similar deaths.
She confirmed she was looking into the warning signs, but could not comment further.
Dave Mazey, general manager of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts, which runs Turoa and Whakapapa skifields, said the company's internal probe concluded staff had followed hazard-marking and safety policy.
The fields changed quickly because of weather and snow conditions and there were always "hundreds" of warning signs dotted about the fields, while major hazards were roped off.
Despite this there was always room for improvement.
"It would be inappropriate for me to say there was nothing that we could learn from an independent investigation," he said.
Department of Labour spokesman Colin Patterson said the department's inquiry was complete and no further action would be taken.
Last week British-born Sawyer was farewelled for a second time at a memorial service in her home city of Manchester. The experienced snowboarder, who had traversed the slopes of Europe with musician boyfriend Chris Bryant, is believed to have died almost instantly, suffering massive head injuries in the fall.
Bryant had been waiting at the bottom of the hill for his girlfriend of three years.
When contacted by the Herald on Sunday he said he was still too distressed to speak about the accident, saying only "She was my life," in a text message.
At least two other snowboarders, alerted by Sawyer's panicked companions, risked their lives climbing down the treacherous hole to reach her, something her family last week expressed gratitude for.
Adele's father, Mark Sawyer, said he welcomed the investigations but had not been told about potential safety issues.
"Nothing will bring Adele back, but if we can do anything to prevent a similar tragedy, this should be investigated and publicised."
