The operator of the Remarkables ski field, near Queenstown, says it is extremely lucky no one was buried in snow from an avalanche outside the ski boundary.
Search teams with dogs and probes combed the site, at the far side of Lake Alta, on a grid pattern on Thursday afternoon to confirm no one was trapped.
NZ Ski says the area where the avalanche happened is well away from the ski area boundary and those skiing within the area do not need to worry.
But chief executive James Coddington says it's lucky no hikers or climbers, who mainly use the area, were there.
Mr Coddington says the avalanche could have been triggered by snow on Wednesday night.
Searchers with dogs and probes combed the site on a grid pattern.
NZ Ski says the avalanche is about 100 metres long, 80 metres wide and up to 2 metres deep.
A patrol spotted debris about 2.45pm on Thursday.
