An 18-year-old French skier last seen on Monday is missing in the mountains near Wanaka.
Wanaka Police and search and rescue volunteers have today mounted a search for the man.
He was last seen mid-morning on Monday when he left his car at the West Wanaka Station carpark.
Wanaka police search and rescue co-ordinator Sergeant Aaron Nicholson said the man had intended to ski tour and was due out yesterday afternoon.
The skier, who was travelling solo, intended to climb through the steep bushclad lower slopes of Mt Alta to 2399m and ski the upper slopes.
The snow level in the area was about 1400m and there were heavy snowfalls over the weekend.
"Given the terrain, the potential avalanche risk and the overnight temperatures, we are obviously concerned for his safety," Nicholson said.
Wanaka Search and Rescue alpine rescue volunteers have begun a helicopter search.
By midday Wednesday, preliminary searching had found no sign of ski tracks or footprints above the snowline.
The skier was known to be carrying a bivvy bag, sleeping bag and some food.