Dozens of skiers on Mt Ruapehu in the central North Island watched in horror as a climber fell 300m to his death.
The 26-year-old man was ascending Grand Gully, near Whakapapa ski field, with three others on a New Zealand Alpine Club training weekend when he slipped near the Pinnacle Ridge around 11am yesterday.
The two guides leading the group watched helplessly as the man plunged down the steep ravine and landed at the bottom of the ski slopes.
He was pronounced dead at the scene, despite CPR efforts.
Mt Ruapehu marketing manager Mike Smith told NZPA the group was climbing in an area outside the ski boundaries.
"They were in an area called the Pinnacles, which is very steep technical climbing, and extreme skiing and snowboarding terrain.
"He slipped and fell, probably about 300-400 metres. He ended up in an area called Broken Leg Gully in the Whakapapa ski area boundary. That area was actually closed to skiing and snowboarding yesterday as there wasn't enough snow in there.
Mr Smith said when the alarm was raised "our ski patrol and paramedic team had to rope themselves down into the gully to get to where he was, and then tried to perform emergency CPR but they were unsuccessful in keeping him alive".
The Pinnacles is a popular climbing area but it was quite steep and technical "so it's only for very experienced climbers".
Mr Smith said conditions weren't bad yesterday, although it wasn't a blue sky day.
The ground was relatively soft following rain.
Mr Smith said he could not recall any similar climbing accidents in that area.
"We hold an annual extreme skiing and snowboarding competition up there, which attracts people from all over the world."
The competition will be held in a few weeks time.
"You've really got to know what you're doing to get into that area," he added.
The man's companions were interviewed by National Park Police.
