Lost skiers found safe

Five skiers reported missing on Whakapapa skifield last night have been found safe and well.

Police communications spokesman Chris Turner said the group were spotted by searchers this morning making their way down the mountain.

The five climbed to the Crater Lake on Mt Ruapehu yesterday with the intention of skiing down yesterday.

The alarm was raised when they failed to return by nightfall.

The spokesman said the five were well equipped for the mountains.

Skifield staff and others searched until midnight last night and two snow patrollers had resumed the search at 6.30am today.

- NZPA