HMH and the New Zealand Avalanche Advisory

The HMH crew is committed to safety and precision. We are responsible for predicting avalanches in the Aspiring region for the New Zealand Avalanche Advisory.

The New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZAA) serves as Aotearoa’s official backcountry avalanche forecasting network, providing essential safety information for those venturing into avalanche-prone terrain throughout the country. Managed by the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council, the NZAA issues public avalanche advisories for 13 distinct regions across the country. These forecasts are crafted specifically for recreational users, ensuring adventurers have access to crucial data to navigate safely through potentially hazardous environments. 

In the Aspiring region, Harris Mountains Heli-ski (HMH) holds the exclusive contract for this forecasting. HMH manager and senior guide Hugh Barnard, alongside lead guide Rich Raynes, are responsible for producing these reports. Their forecasting process is a meticulous blend of hands-on snow condition testing, real-time field observations, and sophisticated weather forecast models. This comprehensive approach allows them to deliver accurate and timely advisories that are vital for anyone planning to explore the backcountry in this area. 

These forecasts are more than just weather updates—they are an essential tool for making informed decisions in the backcountry. The integration of field data with predictive models ensures that the reports are reflective of the most current and accurate information available. This approach helps users assess the avalanche risk effectively, giving them the ability to plan safe and enjoyable trips. 

The expertise of our team as leaders in the industry, providing valuable contributions to the wider public, is something we are very proud to be a part of. The deep understanding our HMH crew have of the region’s terrain and snow conditions enables us to provide forecasts that are reliable and actionable. Our team’s commitment to safety and precision is an important part of our product, but also contributes significantly to the broader effort of preventing avalanche-related incidents within our community. 

Overall, the collaboration between the NZAA and HMH is one we are very proud of. It exemplifies the commitment to backcountry safety and community service we have here within our team. Providing these forecasts of our favourite backyard playground plays a crucial role in helping the community navigate the challenging conditions of avalanche terrain, providing reliable information that ensures safe outdoor experiences for all.