Search for skier called off

The search for a 19-year-old skier who fell through an ice shelf in the Southern Alps on Saturday has been called off because of dangerous conditions on the mountain.

The Canterbury University student, who has yet to be named, went missing about 5pm on Saturday while he and a friend were descending from Low Peak on Mt Rolleston, about 4km west of Arthur's Pass.

Police said after the accident the companion frantically dug through the snow for about two hours trying to find his friend before walking back to Arthur's Pass to alert emergency services.

Rescue efforts had been hampered by poor weather.

Senior Constable Phil Simmonds said any search attempt was too risky because of the high chance of avalanches.

"Also, with the information we've got, it's really gone past the stage where he could be expected to be found alive."

The missing skier had been wearing an avalanche transmitter that indicated he had not moved since Saturday.

The Christchurch Alpine Rescue Team and the Mt Cook alpine team had been on call in Arthur's Pass in case there was any chance of a search being mounted.

Mr Simmonds said his name would be released tomorrow and his family would release a statement.

- NZPA