Snowboarder lucky to be alive after avalanche near Queenstown

A snowboarder is lucky to be alive after being caught in an avalanche near Queenstown on Friday.

A helicopter and three paramedics rescued the injured snowboarder from the South East face of Ben Lomond, a 1700 metre tall mountain.

Search and Rescue constable Julian Cahill said: "He's fallen about a couple of hundred metres down a very steep slope. He was partially buried and his friend dug him out."

A helicopter with three ski patrollers and a paramedic on board retrieved him - his rescuers say he was extremely lucky.

"If he'd gone over a Bluff and donked his head, you know he could be dead," const Cahill said.

The man was conscious and talking to rescuers who took him to Queenstown Lakes District Hospital. He suffered injuries described as serious to moderate.

The mountain can be accessed on foot from downtown Queenstown - rescuers say it can catch people out in all seasons.

"Whether its a lost hiker or a climber that gets stuck on this south eastern side in steep terrain it's by far the most common place we go," says const Cahill.

With spring around the corner these rescuers know it may not be the last time they assist someone from Ben Lomond.

Newshub.