Heavy snow has forced about 250 skiers to spent Tuesday night at a mountain lodge in Canterbury because the road down is too dangerous.
A spokesperson for the Mount Lyford skifield, near Hanmer Springs, says wind blew heavy snow on the road on Tuesday, making it treacherous and staff could not work quickly enough to clear it.
He says the group will stay at the lodge overnight before the road is reassessed on Wednesday morning.
Police search and rescue specialist Craig Prior is monitoring the situation and says the day lodge has lights, heating and probably limited food.
Sergeant Pryor says the ski field owners have made the right call.
