Police in Christchurch are investigating whether Wednesday's atrocious weather conditions contributed to a fatal car crash on the Mount Hutt skifield Road.
Police have named the man killed in the crash as Barry Thomas Whitcombe, 55, from Ashburton.
A spokesperson, Stephen Hill, said the initial investigation shows Mr Whitcombe was thrown from his vehicle after it went off the road.
Mr Hill said there was several inches of snow on the ground and winds were strong.
He said a post mortem would be carried out on Thursday.
