A WORD FROM THE EDITOR

It's that deepest darkest time of the year when only the keenest seem to venture far into the mountains. We’ve had a fair amount of snow unlike this time last year, and the avalanche risk is up to or in anything above 1200m in most of the Southern Alps. So be careful if venturing into any terrain with those classic avalanche characteristics, and remember, it’s not just what you are standing on, it’s what’s above you that can kill you.