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

The prospect of world No 1 halfpipe skier, Wanaka's Jossi Wells competing at the 2014 Winter Olympics is a step closer.

New Zealand's best skier in a generation is on the fast track to success - but funding is still an uphill battle.

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.

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.