Skiing Holiday in New Zealand
A large snowstorm affecting the Queenstown Lakes district in New Zealand is encouraging people to hit the slopes for a skiing holiday, but transportation officials are urging caution on the roads in the southern areas due to ice and frost on roads and footpaths.
In the Queenstown area, there were many foothpaths around local schools which were gritted as a priority in anticipation of heavy frost. State Highway 93 was closed due to heavy snow from Clinton to Mataura, and parts of SH94 were also closed. The snow could reach 200m in Dunedin and the school holidays mean that traffic will likely be heavy as travelers head of to Queenstown and Wanaka for skiing holidays. Authorities were threatening to fine motorists with fines if they did not slow down and drive appropriately in the difficult conditions.