Half a metre of fresh snow at Queenstown ski field

Snowmakers can finally take a rest as snow continues to fall on southern ski fields thanks to the forecast polar blast covering the lower South Island.

Cardona is celebrating a "whopping" 38 centimetres as of this morning, with more of the white stuff forecast throughout the day.

All of its chairlifts are now spinning.

Snow on the Crown Range road, Tuesday, July 30, 2024 (Image: Facebook/Queenstown Lakes District Council/Downer NZ).

Laura Hedley, the general manager for Cardrona and Treble Cone, says the snow dances have worked.

"This snowstorm is going to set us up for a fantastic August at both Cardrona and Treble Cone. It means we’ll be opening more terrain, building more features, and will provide excellent conditions both on and off trail."

Meanwhile, the team have Coronet Peak says the delivery of snow is "what we have all been wishing, hoping and dreaming about".

While the resort was closed yesterday, it is open today, with six out of eight lifts in action and a snow base of between 20 and 50 centimetres.

It says in the last 48 hours it has received more than 20 centimetres of snow at its base and 40 centimetres at the top.

It has a warning for visitors, though: "Please be aware it is extremely cold with some brutal wind chill, the M1 is only partially groomed due to wind drifts. Please dress and ski accordingly to the conditions".

Across the basin, The Remarkables Ski Area is closed today after being open yesterday, but it does have good news for would-be users.

"The mountain will be closed today in preparation to open tomorrow. We are stoked to have 52 centimetres of new snow, and it is still snowing."

MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane has told RNZ's Morning Report there has been heavy snow fall at Mount Cook overnight and more snow is expected today around Southland, Otago, and the Canterbury high country.

Dunedin may see snow on the hills down to 200 metres.

"Quite a bit of snow, quite a bit of everything really. We are expecting it to impact on people like farmers as well as road users."

The New Zealand Transport Agency has this morning closed State Highway 8 between Fairlie and Pukaki, and State Highway 80 between Lake Pukaki and Mount Cook, due to snow, while State Highway 8 between Omarama and Lake Pukaki is open with snow conditions.

State Highway 85 between Kyeburn and Palmerston has also been closed first thing due to heavy snow.

NZTA wants motorists to look for the latest travel information on its website before heading out.

The Queenstown Lakes District Council this morning is advising chains are needed to travel over the Crown Range.

"Welcome to winter," it says in its daily winter road report, "We have an interesting day ahead".

Across the region there's heavy rain and ice in addition to snow, with the cold front settling in and expected to stick around until late Thursday.

Main image (Supplied/Cardrona): Snow started falling at Cardrona on Monday, July 29, 2024 and it has not stopped, allowing more terrain on the mountain to be opened up to skiers and boarders.