Methven, New Zealand – An avalanche struck the South Face run in-bounds at New Zealand’s Mt. Hutt ski area near Methven on Tuesday, partially burying two skiers.nDespite the burials, however, no injuries were reported in the 11 a.m. incident. The alarm was raised by a ski patroller in the area and ski area officials say that their avalanche plan was immediately activated.

“Patrollers were immediately on the scene and avalanche rescue dogs flown in,” said Ski Area Manager Dave Wilson. “Eyewitnesses were interviewed and while it appeared everyone was accounted for, we took the precaution of closing the ski area and asking guests to return to their cars for a full and thorough head count. Ski Patrollers had skied the face to check it just prior to the avalanche.”

Approximately 2,000 skiers and snowboarders were cleared from the hill.

The avalanche was a widespread slab shallow type event that was approximately 30cm (one foot) deep. The avalanche struck following a one-meter (3.3-foot) dump of new snow over a 36-hour period during the weekend, the biggest storm thus far this season. Sixty-eight centimeters (27 in.) fell on Sunday alone.

Avalanche control work prior to the avalanche included heli-bombing on Monday and further hand charge bombing Tuesday morning. Ski cutting was also completed prior to opening.