Cyclone Gita has transformed the Otago landscape near Queenstown into a winter wonderland overnight.
From drought conditions a few weeks ago to the ground blanketed in snow- ski field staff and tourists are rejoicing in the sudden snowfall.
Cyclone Gita lashed much of the country on Tuesday sending seven districts into states of emergency. It has now left New Zealand and is hovering off the east coast of the South Island.
Some tourists parked up for the night on the snowed out Crown Range, some driving in the snow for the first time.
Australian tourist Bryce Cunning says "it's pretty cold on the feet".
He says he did not expect it to snow.
"Not in New Zealand in summer, but us Aussies are tough... I don't recommend thongs."
"It's pretty cool, I've never driven on snow on the road before."
Fulton Hogan workers say the roads were fine and no one slipped off the roads.
Skifields were also happy with the snow.
The Remarkables skifield had a significant snow dumping of around 30-40 centimetres on the field, Ski Area manager Ross Lawrence says.
"We did say the landscape would change and so it has... an average of 50cm blankets The Remarkables ski area with drifts over 1m.
"Remember it is only February so the sun will come out again soon."
Cardrona communications executive Jen Houltham says the field had 15cm of snow fall over the last 20 hours or so and it was still snowing.
She says it was more a novelty as opposed to it sticking around at this time of year.
"It's a bit warm the ground down here for it to stick, it should be gone by tomorrow morning."
Coronet Peak Ski Area Manager Nigel Kerr says, "It's unusual to see snow in February! We think it bodes well for winter ahead."
"We have had about 10-15cm of snow at our base, with more higher up. It is still snowing and very cold."
Newshub.
