The upper ski fields on Mt Ruapehu have been shut down by an avalanche that damaged a chairlift.

The avalanche happened near the top High Noon chairlift sometime before the Tūroa ski field opened on Monday morning, says a Tūroa customer relations staff member, who did not give her name.

The avalanche means the upper slopes of both the Tūroa and Whakapapa sides of the mountain will be closed on Monday.

Avalanches were not that common on the ski fields, but this one was large enough to see as staff arrived at the lower areas of the mountain in the morning, says the staff member.

Ski patrols have headed out to do avalanche safety checks of the whole mountain and to check the area the avalanche covered.

It's thought to be above the top High Noon chairlift, which has suffered damage. Engineers are investigating the extent.

The beginners' Alpine Meadows section is open, the staff member said, and many skiers were already out on that section or were waiting for the higher slopes to open.

A statement from the ski fields said the avalanche happened about 8.30. There were no injuries and all Ruapehu Alpine Lifts staff were accounted for.

Updates will be posted on mtruapehu.com/turoa and the Mt Ruapehu Tūroa Facebook page, throughout the day.

- Stuff/KAROLINE TUCKEY