Each year in Aotearoa-New Zealand, snow and ice avalanches injure or kill people, equipment is lost or damaged, facilities are destroyed, and revenue lost. For many of the people involved, the risk from avalanches had not been adequately considered in the decision making process prior to the accident. The objective of this book is to describe the circumstances of avalanche fatalities occurring in this country prior to December 1999 in the hope that readers can use the information from past accidents to avoid future ones. It is also important that the actual details of avalanche accidents are not lost over the passage of time. The fact that these needs are widely recognised is indicated by the large number of people who helped with the project in some way or other. Many thanks are extended to all those who contributed (see acknowledgements). This 2002 book has been uploaded to grant access to more viewers.
