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.

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

Harris Mountains Heli-Ski operate in New Zealand's stunning Southern Alps surrounding the international resort towns of Queenstown and Wanaka and into the Mount Cook National Park region.

For further information see heliski.co.nz.

Doug Sherring fulfils a lifelong ambition on Wanaka's pristine backcountry slopes.

The Mountain Safety Council is strongly recommending skiers and snowboarders wear helmets after another fatality at Mount Hutt skifield in Canterbury.

A Christchurch man has died from injuries after falling about 300m at Mt Hutt Ski Area, the third skiing fatality on the mountain this year.

Donna McIntyre and family pack their ski gear and head for the Remarkables and Coronet Peak.

Donna McIntyre's family give their verdicts on their trip to the snow.

Mount Hutt ski-field will not be changing its policy towards skiing off piste after two deaths this season.