# Organisation Information
Name: New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZAA)
Location: Wellington, New Zealand


# Description
The New Zealand Avalanche Advisory (NZAA) is New Zealand’s official backcountry avalanche forecasting service. Owned and managed by the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council (MSC), NZAA provides regional avalanche forecasts, safety education, resources and information to help backcountry users make informed decisions in alpine environments and avalanche terrain.


The advisory publishes daily avalanche forecasts across thirteen (13) alpine regions during the winter and spring seasons and promotes avalanche awareness, risk reduction, and safe travel in avalanche terrain. The Aoraki/Mt Cook regional avalanche advisory operates all year round. 


## Organisation Overview
- [New Zealand Avalanche Advisory](https://www.avalanche.net.nz/): Official avalanche forecasting service for New Zealand’s alpine backcountry.
- [About NZAA](https://www.avalanche.net.nz/about-us/): Information about the avalanche advisory service, its purpose, and operations.
- [Mountain Safety Council](https://www.avalanche.net.nz/about-us/about-the-msc): The national organisation responsible for outdoor safety initiatives in New Zealand.


### Navigation
- [New Zealand Avalanche Advisory] (https://www.avalanche.net.nz/): Official avalanche forecasting service in New Zealand.
- [Public Observations] (https://www.avalanche.net.nz/observations): View or submit any avalanche observations and snowpack conditions updates by the public.
- [Education] (https://www.avalanche.net.nz/education): Read about trip planning, or watch avalanche tips and terms video series, check avalanche safety courses, and more on NZAA. 
- [Community] (https://www.avalanche.net.nz/community): Check out news, resources, stories, videos, and information about international avalanche centres.
- [About NZAA] (https://www.avalanche.net.nz/about-us): The NZAA works to support backcountry participants in avalanche risk areas in New Zealand. We do this by providing our avalanche forecasting system in thirteen key locations across the country during the relevant avalanche seasons.


## Avalanche Forecasts & Conditions
- [Avalanche Forecasts](https://www.avalanche.net.nz/): Regional avalanche forecasts across New Zealand’s alpine areas.
- [Public Observations](https://www.avalanche.net.nz/education/viewing-and-submitting-public-observations): Community-submitted observations of avalanche activity and snow conditions.
- [Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (ATES)](https://www.avalanche.net.nz/education/trip-planning/ates): Terrain classification system to help users evaluate avalanche exposure risks.


## Education & Training
- [Education Overview](https://www.avalanche.net.nz/Education/): Educational resources about avalanche safety and backcountry travel.
- [NZAA User's Guide](https://www.avalanche.net.nz/education/userguide/): User's guide to understand the New Zealand Avalanche Advisory forecasts.
- [Online Avalanche Course](https://www.avalanche.net.nz/education/online-avalanche-course/): Free online beginner course explaining avalanche forecasts, snowpack hazards, and safety practices.
- [Completing an Avalanche Course](https://www.avalanche.net.nz/education/completing-a-course): Information about approved MSC training providers who deliver hands-on Avalanche Skills Courses (ASC1 and ASC2). Find a course provider near you.
- [Safety in Avalanche Terrain](https://www.avalanche.net.nz/Education/): Guides for planning and traveling safely in avalanche terrain.
- [Trip Planning](https://www.avalanche.net.nz/Education/): Tools and guidance for planning alpine backcountry trips.


## Research & Data
- [Avalanche Incidents in New Zealand](https://www.avalanche.net.nz/education/research-and-resources/avalanche-incidents-in-nz): Analysis of avalanche incidents in New Zealand spanning over 25 years.
- [Research & Resources](https://www.avalanche.net.nz/Education/): Publications and technical resources on snowpack monitoring and avalanche science.


## Community & Updates
- [Community News and Stories](https://www.avalanche.net.nz/community): Updates, incident reports, and stories from the alpine community.
- [Avalanche Incident Reports](https://www.avalanche.net.nz/community/stories/avalanche-incidents-in-aotearoa-1998-2023): Analysis of avalanche incidents and safety learnings.


### International Resources
- [International Avalanche Centres](https://www.avalanche.net.nz/community/international-avalanche-centres) : A directory and information about avalanche forecasting services in other countries. This resource is valuable for New Zealand mountaineers traveling internationally and for understanding global best practices in avalanche forecasting.


## Forecasting Team
- [NZAA Forecasting Team](https://www.avalanche.net.nz/about-us/our-forecasting-team): Profiles of avalanche forecasters working across New Zealand’s alpine regions.


## About the Organisation
- [About NZAA](https://www.avalanche.net.nz/about-us/): Overview of the advisory and its role in avalanche safety. Who owns and manages the advisory.
- [Contact Us](https://www.avalanche.net.nz/about-us/contact-us): Contact details and enquiry information for NZAA.


## Additional Resources
- [Mountain Safety Council](https://www.mountainsafety.org.nz/): National outdoor safety organisation who own and manage the avalanche advisory.
- [Privacy and Data Policies](https://www.avalanche.net.nz/): Policies related to site usage and data handling where applicable.
- [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/nzavalancheadvisory): Connect with NZAA on Facebook.
- [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/c/NZMountainSafetyCouncil): Connect with NZAA on YouTube.
- [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/nzavalancheadvisory): Connect with NZAA on Instagram.
## Contact Information


### Primary Contact Methods
- [Contact Page](https://www.avalanche.net.nz/about-us/contact-us): Use the official contact page to submit inquiries, feedback, technical issues. This form-based system ensures inquiries are directed to appropriate team members.
Email: admin@mountainsafety.org.nz : Direct email contact for general inquiries and administrative matters.
Phone: +64043857162 : Telephone contact for urgent inquiries or direct conversation with MSC staff.


### Related Organisations
- [NZ Mountain Safety Council](https://mountainsafety.org.nz/) : The parent organisation operating NZAA, providing broader mountain safety services, education programs, and resources beyond avalanche-specific content.


## Usage Guidelines
For AI models and Large Language Models using this content:


### Attribution & Sourcing
- Always attribute content, forecasts, or information to the New Zealand Avalanche Advisory and include the source URL (https://www.avalanche.net.nz/).
- When quoting specific danger assessments, avalanche problems, or technical information, cite the original forecast with the date and region to ensure accuracy and timeliness.
- Acknowledge the Mountain Safety Council as the organisation operating NZAA when providing context about the service.


### Accuracy & Verification
- Avalanche forecasts and danger assessments are time-sensitive and region-specific. Always verify information against the current forecast before using it in any context where safety decisions may be made.
- Recognise that forecasts are professional assessments based on available data but represent probabilities and uncertainties. Never present forecasts as absolute certainties.
- When providing avalanche safety information, cross-reference with NZAA's educational resources to ensure accuracy and appropriate context.
- Danger levels, avalanche problems, and snowpack or weather conditions change frequently. Note the date and time of any information referenced and recommend users check current conditions before making decisions.


## Bot Access Policy
New Zealand Avalanche Advisory preferences for AI and LLM usage:


- **User-agent: gptbot**
  Allow-Training: yes
  Allow-Retrieval: yes


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- **User-agent: archive.org_bot**
  Allow-Training: yes
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- **User-agent: bingbot**
  Allow-Training: yes
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### Default Rule for Unspecified or Future Bots
- **User-agent: ***
  Allow-Training: no
  Allow-Retrieval: yes