Snow-lovers get stuck on Ruapehu after heavy fall

Hundreds of drivers had to wait for their cars to be fitted with chains before they could leave the mountain. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Dozens of skiers and snowboarders were stuck on Mt Ruapehu last night after heavy snow made it unsafe to drive out without chains - and more snow is on the way.

More than 100 cars were sitting in Whakapapa ski area carpark at 5.30pm, forbidden from driving out.

The number had dropped to about 20 or 30 by 8pm and all were expected off the mountain last night.

Retired dairy farmer Philip Paterson was trying to get down to a lodge in Raurimu. He and two carloads of friends were waiting to have their vehicles fitted for chains.

Mountain staff had told them it would be another 90 minutes, when Mr Paterson spoke to the Herald just after 8pm. They had declined the offered shuttle service as all of their gear was in the car.

Mt Ruapehu marketing manager Mike Smith said drivers were being ordered to use chains because of a heavy fall that afternoon.

The chain-fitting process was slowed because of darkness, which forced staff to work with headlights, he said.

Mr Smith was pleased with the dump of fresh snow and the forecast of more to come.

The MetService was predicting rain last night, bringing snow above 1400m.

Weather ambassador Bob McDavitt said rain would clear to showers today, with snow above 1600m. Whakapapa's carpark sits at 1500m.

Thursday would bring more showers and snow above 1400m with Friday forecast to bring rain and snow above 1500m.

Gale-force southwesterlies Saturday night were forecast to bring snow to all levels in the Tongariro National Park area, he said.