The Alpine Guides employee died after being buried by the avalanche on the Ragged Range near Methven - the area where an Australian tourist was killed while skiing with the same company a month ago.
The guide, who was with four clients, had been inspecting runs in the Ragged Range when he was caught directly in the avalanche about 4pm, Alpine Guides managing director Bryan Carter said.
"He was subsequently located and dug out by other guides," he said last night.
"He was unconscious and despite treatment . . . over the next two hours, I understand, unfortunately he didn't survive."
Yesterday's death was the third avalanche fatality in the South Island this winter - Queenstown man Ryan Campbell (30) was killed near the Coronet Peak ski area on August 2.
Mountain Safety Council avalanche programme manager Steve Schreiber said it was important skiers and snowboarders made good choices in such "dangerous times", but given the season was only halfway through it was "quite a worry it could happen again".
"Given what has been happening, be conservative. Back off. For me, it's about judgement, taking personal responsibility, getting the skills and people who understand [with you]."
Even with years of experience, sometimes people paid for the risk with their lives, he said.
Everyone made mistakes, although it was not yet known what caused the two Ragged Range accidents.
"It's the unfortunate truth in the avalanche game."
Mountain Safety issued a warning yesterday morning listing the avalanche risk in the Ragged Range area as "considerable", indicating human-triggered avalanches were probable.
Mr Carter said he did not know how long the man had been buried, but the guides had returned from the rescue about 6.30pm.
He understood the four clients were not caught in the avalanche.
"One of them has a twisted back or a bit of a back injury but nothing serious."
The company would be reviewing the types of conditions it took clients skiing in, he said.
Before the Australian client was "regretfully" killed in an avalanche about a month ago, the company had not had a fatality for 30 years, Mr Carter said.
"Very sadly, I have to say we've had two within a month."
It had been a "very difficult" season, but other than that he did not know why the two deaths had occurred in such a short space of time.
"Until I get fully briefed on what's happened, that's probably about all I can say at the moment."
The guide who died yesterday was very experienced and had been working with the company for 12 or 13 years, Mr Carter said.
Police said helicopters transported patients from the mountain to airfields.
Fog in the area caused problems.
The rest of the party had been transported to Glenfalloch Station.
