Schools were closed, snowballs were thrown, and snowmen began appearing in the most unexpected areas as the biggest snow storm in 50 years left New Zealand coated in a blanket of snow earlier this week.
But it's not just children who have been left delighted by the unexpected weather: ski fans are also welcoming the polar blast, with Canterbury's Mount Hutt ski area set reopen its slopes to the public, having enjoyed a fresh dusting of powder.
“The mountain’s looking absolutely great with 80cm of new snow especially in the inner basin and some wind affected areas,” Mount Hutt's Ski Area Manager, David Wilson says. "This snowfall will change us completely for the rest of the season, it’s just fantastic".
Located on New Zealand's South Island, Mount Hutt is the largest ski field on the Island, but the resort was closed to skiiers for three days as the Antarctic storm made roads impassable and buried the resort's lift stations. Despite the closure, a few workers remained stranded on the mountain, but they spent their time clearing snow from doorways and paths before the mountain was re-opened to their colleagues.
“We still need to do a lot of work but we’re all steam ahead to be ready for at least a partial opening subject to weather and conditions," Wilson says. “Now the storm has done its stuff, we’re looking forward to some glorious sunny weekend weather.”
Weather experts suggest worst of the storm is over. "The main event has well and truly passed now, but we're still being affected by the tail end," Phillip Duncan from WeatherWatch.co.nz told the New Zealand Herald, adding that there will be "more heavy snow down to a few hundred metres from Canterbury to Hawke's Bay and wintry, sleety, conditions to sea level."
As well as shutting roads and airports across the country, the chilly weather, which saw snow fall in Auckland for the first time in 72 years, also led to a spike in electricity demand, with Transpower reporting a record high at 7.30pm on Tuesday (local time) that led to power outtages in some areas.
To take a look at snowy scenes from across New Zealand, click here.
