Agencies have shared snow safety reminders after a man was dug out from under a metre of snow following an avalanche on Monday (September 23).

The man was backcountry skiing in a group of five in an area known as the ‘Commitment Chutes’, near Treble Cone, when he was buried in the avalanche at approximately 1.10pm.

With the help of transceivers and probes, other members of the group, who were trained in avalanche rescue, were able to locate the man and dig him out within seven minutes, preventing any injuries.

Wānaka LandSAR chair Raewyn Calhaem said the organisation was preparing to deploy to the incident but the man was rescued before LandSAR was needed.

She said the incident showed that having avalanche training and equipment “can save the lives of your mates”.

Anyone going into the backcountry should have formal avalanche training and appropriate equipment, she said.

The avalanche - the second in the area in a two-day period - also highlights the importance of being aware of the snow conditions and checking the New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZAA), Raewyn said.

Backcountry users should “also do an onsite evaluation before they leave as conditions can change,” she said.

Mountain Safety Council (MSC) chief executive Mike Daisley said on Tuesday (September 24) that any backcountry skiers, snowboarders, or climbers in the area should exercise “extreme caution and…monitor the avalanche and weather forecasts closely”.

“Despite the onset of spring, unseasonal snowfall and consistent westerly storms mean the avalanche risk remains significant,” he said.

During Monday’s avalanche, and one on Saturday which was triggered by snowboarders in a nearby area but no one was caught in, the avalanche danger for the Wānaka area was listed as considerable.

That has now been scaled up to a ‘high’.

"A ‘high’ danger rating indicates very dangerous avalanche conditions exist,” Mike said. “This means travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.”

He reiterated the importance of having the necessary training and skills to manage avalanche risks in the alpine backcountry.

"Proper preparation and informed decision-making saves lives."

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PHOTO: Supplied