An estimated 7000-plus people headed for the fresh snow on Mt Ruapehu at the weekend - and brought a measure of congstion and chaos with them.
The snow conditions, good weather and school holidays combined to pull in a huge crowd, many making use of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL) new free park and ride service from Ohakune and National Park Village to the Turoa and Whakapapa ski areas.
The result was that Ohakune was swamped, with parking proving a particular problem as people left their cars in the town and took the free bus up the mountain. One resident described it as "carnage".
Locals reported that visiting cars blocked the Ohakune fire station, taking spaces that the volunteer brigade members would have needed in the event of a callout.
Reports said that traffic was backed up the entire length of State Highway 48 - six kilometres - on Saturday, while supermarkets and other businesses found their customer carparks taken up by those heading for the snow for the day.