The public has narrowly voted in favour of renaming the South Ridge of Aoraki/Mt Cook after Sir Edmund Hillary.

Champion skier Claudia Riegler enthuses about the shops, cafes and clubs that make the European ski experience so special.

The riches of the Paparoa Range were enticing, but the cost of extracting them was greater than anyone imagined, writes Grant Bradley

Meandering goats, cow bells and jaw-droppingly beautiful views bemuse Herald cartoonist Rod Emmerson in the Swiss Alps.

Families can enjoy a close encounter with Aoraki/Mt Cook 'The Cloud Piercer' from the comfort of the valley floor, finds Paul Rush.

Mark Inglis tells of the charity which sees him taking Kiwis to the Himalaya.

NZers can now have their say on whether the South Ridge of Aoraki Mount Cook should be renamed as 'Hillary Ridge'. The Geographic Board today opened a three month-public consultation.

It's been a tough year for Mt Hutt skifield, with three deaths, an avalanche and now 1200 skiers trapped overnight in bad weather.

Many of the skiers enjoyed their night on Mt Hutt, including a quiz, hot food, and "spooning" - while at least two now have a coffee date.

About 1200 skiers - including several hundred schoolchildren - remain trapped on Mt Hutt this morning after gales of over 200km/h closed the only road off the mountain.

Around 1200 mountaingoers are still trapped at Mt Hutt skifield, with conditions still too dangerous to leave.

After three deaths in three months and yesterday's avalanche on Mt Hutt, a snowboarder is now in Christchurch Hospital with serious head injuries after another accident today.

A skier caught in an avalanche on Mt Hutt has described how he fought to stay on top of the snow.

An avalanche closed Mt Hutt today but the mountain has now reopened and though some skiers were partially buried, no one was hurt.