An avalanche on the Turoa side of Mount Ruapehu this morning has damaged a chairlift and closed the upper mountain.
A Ruapehu chairlift after the avalanche Photo: SnowHQ
The avalanche was triggered about 8.30 by a routine control check undertaken by Ruapehu Alpine Lifts, who managed the ski-filed.
Ruapehu Alpine Lifts chief executive Ross Copland said the High Noon Express chairlift had been damaged and was being checked by engineers.
No one was injured and all staff were accounted for, he said.
The upper mountain of the Whakapapa and Turoa skifields are closed.
Backcountry tourers are urged to check the latest avalanche advisory before heading out.
