Users venturing into the backcountry of Wānaka, Queenstown, and Mt Aspiring National Park will have access to a more tailored forecast with an addition to the national avalanche forecasting network.

The New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZAA), owned by the NZ Mountain Safety Council (MSC), is trialing a 13th avalanche forecasting region, called ‘Aspiring’, this winter. 

The shift affects Mt Aspiring National Park, Mt Brewster, the Treble Cone backcountry, and the Main Divide.  

MSC chief executive Mike Daisley said this change alters both Wānaka and Queenstown forecasting regions but will allow for more tailored and clear forecasting.

“The original Wānaka region was very difficult to forecast, leaving users struggling to accurately decipher the parts of the forecast which were relevant to them due to the sheer size and varying conditions within the region,” Mike said.

More often than not, the high altitude and proximity to the main divide of Mt Aspiring meant the danger rating was often ‘high’ or ‘considerable’ for the region, even though in the eastern areas such as the Treble Cone backcountry where participation is higher for most of winter the conditions weren’t as severe.

This change effectively splits that old region to make things easier to decipher, Mike said. 

The new region will benefit users heading into Mt Aspiring National Park, Harris Mountains and Treble Cone backcountry as they will no longer read the same forecast. The Mt Brewster area, which was not previously part of a forecasting region, will now be included in the new ‘Aspiring’ region. 

“In more technical terms, the new region boundaries will better represent areas of relatively uniform snowpack conditions, which will make forecasting easier too,” Mike said. 

The trial looks to address the feedback from users wanting clarity in forecasts so they could safely enjoy the mountains. 

The scheduled forecast dates for the new Aspiring region will run from July 1 – November 30 this year, but may be extended or shortened based on conditions. 

At the end of the forecasting period MSC will review the trial and determine whether or not the region will become a permanent fixture.  

Find the new region boundaries here.

PHOTO: Supplied