There are two tools to help you assess avalanche danger:
Anytime that snow and steep slopes are combined there is potential for an avalanche.
The best way to understand the avalanche danger in Fiordland National Park is to check the New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZAA). The NZAA provides daily assessments of avalanche likelihood at different elevation bands and aspects, primary and secondary dangers, along with recent avalanche activity, current snowpack conditions and mountain weather. The NZAA is also available at DOC visitor centres.
The NZAA is provided by the Mountain Safety Council (MSC) as an advisory only. We recommend you also check the Fiordland National Park weather forecast as part of your trip planning.
The Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (ATES) rates avalanche terrain based on the angle and shape of the ground or the number of established avalanche paths.
Fiordland National Park covers 1.3 million hectares of remote mountainous terrain and avalanche conditions can vary throughout. The majority of the avalanche threat is on several of Fiordland’s tracks and all the Great Walks (Milford, Routeburn and Kepler Tracks.) It is common to receive over 15 metres of snow in the northern area of the park during the winter and spring months.
The majority of Fiordland tracks meander along valleys that are clear of winter snow. However, due to the surrounding steep-sided mountains and wet snow, avalanches have a great impact on valley floors, usually travelling at speed and leaving little chance of avoidance. Avalanche run-out zones in valley floors are usually self-evident, with little vegetation and clearings in these zones.
There is avalanche threat on all of the Great Walks in the area. For information see:
You need to have the right level of experience to safely travel simple, challenging or complex terrain. To find out what experience is needed for each, check our avalanche safety page.
If you are going into places avalanches could occur, make sure you:
Be avalanche alert: avalanche terrain ratings - Fiordland National Park PDF, 1,117K)