The man killed in an accident in the Mackenzie Basin early on Tuesday was a keen snowboarder, a loved friend and a part of the Lake Ohau Alpine Village community.
Police said Rowan Alexander Yeager (34), of Ohau, died after he crashed into Freehold Creek Bridge, between Lake Ohau Village and Lake Ohau Lodge, about 1am on Tuesday.
His high school friend, Andrew Weatherall, of Tarras, said
he had enjoyed growing up in Auckland through his teenage years with Mr Yeager.
Eventually, Mr Yeager's love of the snow and adventure brought him to Ohau, where he worked as a builder and took part in projects at the Lake Ohau Lodge.
He was about a week away from moving into the home he was building himself.
Lodge manager Mike Neilson said Mr Yeager would be missed by the village.
''I've known him for two and a-half years. We met his parents last year and they're very nice.''
He said Mr Yeager spent hours snowboarding in the Ohau snow fields and had a favourite site, Hemis Bowl.
Mr Yeager's neighbour, Snow Davies, described his friend as ''a really nice guy''.
''People are pretty upset. It's a very tight community. There are only about 22 of us who actually live here.
''We like the mountains and the clean environment.''
