Chair lift damaged on Mt Ruapehu after 'significant' controlled avalanche goes wrong

August 6, 2018
Good news for skiers and snow boarders as a $10 million grant helps the project get off the ground.

A chair lift was damaged on Mount Ruapehu this morning after a controlled operation went wrong.

Routine control measures involve intentionally triggering avalanches when the snow builds up too much in unstable areas, and such an operation took place this morning.

"A significant avalanche was triggered," the official Mount Ruapehu ski area Twitter account tweeted.

The avalanche came down about 8.30am through the "Gliding Gladys" area and hit the High Noon Express lift.

The damaged chairlift tower needs replacing and will be inoperable for at least one week.

However, there is the possibility a new haul rope will be needed to be imported from Europe, that would take months.

No one was in the area or injured at the time of the avalanche.

"Engineers are responding to assess the extent ... the upper mountain is closed at both ski areas today."

Those venturing into the back country are advised to check avalanche advisories before setting out.

SHARE ME

More Stories