A rescue mission is underway for a male snowboarder missing after an avalanche on Coronet Peak, northeast of Queenstown, today.
Police were advised about 5pm of the avalanche which was believed to have happened about 15 minutes earlier, police southern communications Inspector Warren Kemp said.
"At the moment we've got rescue personnel up on the mountain with lighting and alpine rescue dogs and searchers still searching."
Police were concentrating on the rescue and would later look into the details of what had happened, Mr Kemp told NZPA.
The slip happened in a valley adjacent to the main ski area, 3news reported.
