Police have conformed the group stranded in snow overnight won't contribute to the cost of the rescue.
The group of 4WD enthusiasts rescued described their relief after nearly 21 hours stuck within their vehicles on Wakaia Bush Rd in the Old Man Range.
The group of 38 reached Roxburgh in Central Otago at 6:30pm on Monday, after notifying police on Sunday evening they were in trouble after bad weather and vehicle breakdowns on the road.
Police say they're funded for search and rescue operations and the group wouldn't have to foot the bill.
Bad weather hampered rescue efforts throughout Monday, including an attempt by the New Zealand Defence Force and their NH90 helicopter. In the afternoon snowcats were able to reach them and bring them below the snowline.
"We went up equipped but obviously got caught out by the weather," rescued man Daniel Cockery says.
"It was quite relieving, it really was. They have done a great job."
One of the vehicles stuck in snow on Waikaia Bush Rd (What's on Invers)
The group's 13 vehicles were surrounded by snow 2.5 metres deep and temperatures reached freezing levels overnight.
The drivers and passengers were medically examined once reaching Roxburgh, before being fed.
They still need to go back to the site to retrieve the cars from the snow when the weather clears.
Chris Coory from Dunedin Land Search and Rescue says when they finally reached the group they were all warm and dry.
"Everyone was warm enough," he says.
"They had enough fuel in the vehicles to keep the heaters going overnight, which was important to keep them warm."
Mr Coory says people need to be aware of the weather conditions before entering sub-alpine areas.
"It's really a matter of doing some research and knowing what the weather is going to do that's the big thing," he says.
"In sub-alpine areas like this the snow can come in pretty fast and if it starts to come in then you turn around and head out. It's simple really."
Police are debriefing this morning and speaking to those rescued. Inspector Olaf Jensen says around 50 people were involved in the rescue operation.
Waikaia man Garth Mahon estimates it will take at least two weeks until the vehicles will be able to get back down.
"It's much more dangerous coming down than going up," he says.
He says the ground needs to be drier before an attempt is made.
Another local, who didn't want to be named, says even in dry weather the road is difficult enough.
"To go out in the weather with the way it was, I can't understand why they would even think about it really."
He says he wouldn't recommend anyone to go up there at this time of the year, especially as the weather changes so quickly.
Newshub.
