Motorists stranded as heavy snow hits inland Canterbury

Residents of Castle Hill came to the rescue last night as heavy snow stranded dozens of motorists in the small Canterbury alpine village.

State Highway 73 closed at about 5pm yesterday due to heavy snow and ice.

Locals opened the hall and at least 50 people were put up in about a dozen houses for the night, Castle Hill resident John Dunne said.

A group of nearly 20 travellers opted to stay in cars at nearby Lake Lyndon overnight, in the hope the Great Alpine Highway would reopen.

The road, between Springfield and Arthurs Pass reopened at about 10am Saturday.

Mr Dunne said the snow was the heaviest dump of the winter with 15 to 20cm on the ground in the village and at least double that at the nearby Broken River skifield. 

Skiers and snowboarders hoping to make the most of the late season powder were left disappointed as the storm cut power to the only skifield still open. 

Long queues could be seen waiting to access skilifts throughout the afternoon.

More snow is forecast for the area tonight.