Coronet Peak should enhance its avalanche hazard signage and fencing in the upper Greengates area, following the death of Queenstown snowboarder Ryan Manu Campbell in an avalanche outside the ski area boundary almost a year ago.
It was one of the recommendations made by Southern region coroner and skier David Crerar, of Dunedin, in his formal finding released this week, after the inquest on June 16.
While Mr Crerar emphasised the death of Mr Campbell occurred outside the ski area boundary and he attributed no blame or responsibility to Coronet Peak management, he suggested a specific avalanche hazard warning and a double rope boundary in the upper Greengates area.
The coroner said he understood it was the only ski-lift-accessible part of the mountain from which skiers and boarders were likely to go out of bounds.
When asked to comment on the recommendation, NZSki chief executive James Coddington said yesterday the company would take the coroner's suggestion "very seriously".
"Since the incident we have looked at [the signs] and it is the standard operating procedure for ski areas in New Zealand and we're very confident our signage has been as industry standard."
However, Mr Coddington said NZSki would be "quite comfortable" to go above industry standards and would be discussing options with the coroner.
Mr Crerar recommended the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council, the Department of Conservation, the Ski Area Association, snow sports groups and local authorities liaise more closely to inform and educate the public who use the mountains for recreation.
The coroner said he would ensure a copy of his finding was forwarded to the appropriate government minister, with his request for funding for the Mountain Safety Council be continued.
Mr Crerar drew public attention to the safety equipment available for snow sports enthusiasts, if skiing or boarding in areas which were not patrolled.
The coroner said Mr Campbell (30), a builder, died at the Dirty Four Creek, near Coronet Peak, on August 2, 2009, as a result of severe cardio respiratory failure, complicating extensive traumatic heart concussion and pulmonary contusions. The snowboarder triggered an avalanche, followed by other avalanches, which engulfed and crushed him.
Mr Crerar said Mr Campbell and younger brother Fraser Campbell "appear to have been oblivious to the avalanche danger" they were likely to encounter and were "poorly prepared and equipped to cope with it".
The coroner said the brothers traversed from the skifield area to an out-of-bounds location, where, during a snowboard descent, Ryan Campbell became engulfed in an avalanche, was swept down the slope and buried by avalanche snow and debris, causing the fatal injuries.
