Nine people were rescued from The Remarkables following a backcountry avalanche on the mountain range on Saturday.
Helicopters Otago owner Graeme Gale said a quick response from helicopters, ski patrol and avalanche search dog teams — combined with good weather conditions — helped to avoid what could have been "a major catastrophe".
If people were trapped in an avalanche, time was of the essence.
"The clock is ticking the moment it happens.
"Luckily [everyone] got out — and only one had minor injuries.
"This could have been a major catastrophe.
"Yesterday’s weather conditions were good.
"Success involves being able to get the avalanche team with their dogs on scene and for them to go through the area to pick up anyone that is potentially trapped."
Initially three people were reported missing, but during the rescue operation this increased to nine, Mr Gale said.
The starting point of the avalanche was at the crown wall on The Remarkables mountain range.
It was about 2m deep and 200m long.
Following the avalanche, helicopters were used to fly three avalanche search dog teams and The Remarkables ski patrol team to search for anybody buried in the snow about 12.15pm.
They were joined by one unit from Otago Southland Rescue Helicopters.
About 4pm, the avalanche risk was reduced to 2 on a scale of 1 to 5, which was classed as moderate.
The Remarkables ski patrol site commander Will Roundtree said they responded to the backcountry avalanche after being alerted by a member of the public.
"We dispatched part of our team as the first response to the rescue.
"The incident was beyond the ski area boundary."
Police thanked those involved in the search for their swift response, but advised mountain users to assess conditions and consult the Avalanche Advisory by New Zealand Mountain Safety Council (MSC).
They also recommended people were equipped with transceivers, shovels and probes they knew how to use.
Late last week, MSC chief executive officer Mike Daisley said many of the South Island’s mountains bore the brunt of the recent weather system which brought significant snowfall.
As a result, the avalanche danger would increase dramatically across the Southern Lakes region.
