While the ski season is nearly over, people in the mountains still need to be aware of avalanche risks, specialist Andrew Hobman warned yesterday.
Daily online avalanche forecasting by the NZMSC will end this week for all mountain areas in New Zealand, except the Mt Cook-Aoraki area.
But Mr Hobman, avalanche programme manger for the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council, said the unusually number of late heavy snowfalls have increased the risk of triggering a slide.
"There is still a lot of snow out there.
"People need to be aware there is still a significant hazard to think about.
"Warmer temperatures over the coming weeks will add to the chances of snow pack instability."
Most ski areas have already closed for the season, but Mr Hobman said it was still a popular time for ski enthusiasts to hike into the back country.
This winter had exposed the need to expand operations dramatically next year.
"We realise now we need to tap into the people who are still unaware of risk.
Checking the forecast needs to become common practice," he said.
Next year, online forecasting will continue until the final hazard disappears, typically at the end of November.
The NZMSC will also be launching a new website, and expanding operations to build a stronger link with the public, said Mr Hobman.
The new website, expected to be fully operational next winter, is a multi-level website that provides detailed regional forecasting.
It will provide information on mountain events and avalanche education for each section, and will be accessible through mobile devices.
Website users will be invited to record their own observations by uploading videos and text descriptions of conditions in their area.
Subscribers will receive avalanche updates by email.
A phone service will provide pre-recorded voice forecasts for those without internet access.
Mr Hobson said the NZMSC was developing links with local media outlets to ensure the information reached the public.
"We need to try [to] communicate with a wider audience.
"Those people with little knowledge need to know what is going on," he said.
The new website will be tested during summer, using the Mt Cook area as a prototype.
