New Zealand · 28.07.2026

Aoraki/Mt Cook

Level 2: 2000 m–and above · Level 2: 1500 m–2000 m · Level 2: 1500 m–and above

Moderate

Danger level

2 — Moderate

Snowpack stability

The snowpack is only moderately well bonded on some steep slopes; otherwise well bonded in general.

Likelihood of triggering

Triggering is possible, primarily from high additional loads, particularly on the indicated steep slopes. Very large natural avalanches are unlikely.

Avalanche problems

Wet snow
The avalanche problem is related to a weakening of the snowpack due to the presence of liquid water. Water infiltrates the snowpack due to melt or rain.
Good timing and trip planning are important. Consider avalanche runout zones.
Affected aspects
WestNorthwestNorthNortheast
Wind slab
Wind slabs are formed when loose snow in near-surface layers (new snow or old snow) is transported and deposited by wind.
Avoid wind-drifted deposits in steep terrain.
Affected aspects
NortheastEastSoutheastSouth

Stability

Around 100cm of new snow has fallen about the Divide since late Thursday and into Friday with 50cm at Mueller hut (1800m elevation), and around 60cm in the Liebig range, around 40cm in the Cass, and 20-30cm in the southern Gammacks above around 1000m. This snow is generally well settled and has dried out on shady slopes after several cold nights, with surface hoar and near surface facets developing. The previous snow surface was a mix of rain crust below 1800m, and wind scoured surfaces in exposed areas and windpressed snow in sheltered areas above 1800m. The lower snowpack is generally well bonded with no major layers of concern.

Snow quality

A natural avalanche cycle has taken place. Many size 2-3 slab avalanches were observed to have run probably during the storm. A loose wet cycle was also underway to size 1 as the day warmed up on Sunday.

Weather

Mainly fine, some passing cloud.Wind at 1000 metres: Light, southwesterly 30 km/h developing for a time in the morning.Wind at 2000 metres: Southwesterly 35 km/h dying out in the afternoon. Northwesterly 30 km/h developing at night.Wind at 3000 metres: Southwesterly 35 km/h dying out in the afternoon. Northwesterly 30 km/h developing at night.Freezing level: 1800 metres, lifting to 2100 metres in the morning.

European Avalanche Danger Scale

Official scale used by European avalanche warning services.

5 — Very high
Snowpack stability
The snowpack is poorly bonded and largely unstable in general.
Likelihood of triggering
Numerous very large and often extremely large natural avalanches can be expected, even in moderately steep terrain.
4 — High
Snowpack stability
The snowpack is poorly bonded on most steep slopes.
Likelihood of triggering
Triggering is likely, even from low additional loads, on many steep slopes. In some cases, numerous large and often very large natural avalanches can be expected.
3 — Considerable
Snowpack stability
The snowpack is moderately to poorly bonded on many steep slopes.
Likelihood of triggering
Triggering is possible, even from low additional loads, particularly on the indicated steep slopes. In certain situations some large, and in isolated cases very large natural avalanches are possible.
2 — Moderate
Snowpack stability
The snowpack is only moderately well bonded on some steep slopes; otherwise well bonded in general.
Likelihood of triggering
Triggering is possible, primarily from high additional loads, particularly on the indicated steep slopes. Very large natural avalanches are unlikely.
1 — Low
Snowpack stability
The snowpack is well bonded and stable in general.
Likelihood of triggering
Triggering is generally possible only from high additional loads in isolated areas of very steep, extreme terrain. Only small and medium natural avalanches are possible.

Avalanche problems

Typical problem types defined by EAWS.

New snow
The avalanche problem is related to current or most recent snowfall. The amount of additional loading by new snow onto the existing snowpack is the crucial factor of the new snow problem. How critical the loading is, depends on various factors such as air temperature, wind or characteristics of the old snow surface.
Wind slab
Wind slabs are formed when loose snow in near-surface layers (new snow or old snow) is transported and deposited by wind.
Persistent weak layers
The avalanche problem is related to the presence of one or more persistent weak layers in the old snowpack. These weak layers typically include faceted crystals, depth hoar or surface hoar crystals.
Wet snow
The avalanche problem is related to a weakening of the snowpack due to the presence of liquid water. Water infiltrates the snowpack due to melt or rain.
Gliding snow
The entire snowpack is gliding on the ground, typically on smooth ground such as grassy slopes or smooth rock zones. High activity of glide-snow avalanches is typically related to a thick snowpack with no or only few weak layers. Glide-snow avalanches can occur both with a cold dry snowpack and with a warm moist or wet snowpack. The release of a glide-snow avalanche is difficult to predict, although in many cases glide cracks open prior to release.
Cornices
A wave-like formation of soft or hard wind drifted snow, often overhanging.