New Zealand · 12.09.2026

Aoraki/Mt Cook

Level 2: 2000 m–and above · Level 1: 1500 m–2000 m · Level 1: 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

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
NorthNortheastEastSoutheastSouth
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

Stability

Strong SW winds on Friday have redistributed the fresh snow that fell on Thursday. Exposed ridges and west-facing slopes are likely to have been stripped back to firm crust, while wind-loaded pockets may exist on east-facing slopes. A well-consolidated snowpack exists below the fresh snow. Below 2000 m, a very slick, frozen surface exists just beneath the new snow, creating a potential sliding hazard. North-facing slopes are becoming more like spring conditions, with firm surfaces in the morning that soften during the day.

Snow quality

September 11: Several wind slab avalanches, up to Size 1.5, were observed on east-facing slopes above 1800 m. September 10: Several Loose wet/dry avalanches on steep terrrain up to size 1.5. September 7: Multiple storm slab and wind slab avalanches, up to Size 3, were observed on east to south aspects along the Main Divide.

Weather

Showers, with snow to 1300 metres, clearing to fine in the morning.Wind at 1000 metresSouthwesterly 50 km/h, dying out in the afternoon.Wind at 2000 metresWesterly gale 75 km/h, easing to southwesterly 35 km/h in the morning.Wind at 3000 metresSouthwesterly gale 85 km/h, easing to 55 km/h in the morning.Freezing level1700 metres, lifting to 2100 metres in the afternoon.

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.