Principal Simon Waymouth said it was an ironic twist of fate, as the Poolburn School was usually the first to close in winter conditions.
"We usually get a bit of stick for having to close."
The school's 33 pupils, three teachers, and office manager all made it to school on time yesterday, after the decision was made to open.
Mr Waymouth said both bus drivers were happy with road conditions yesterday morning and the school runs went ahead.
School holidays came a day early for most other Central Otago children, however.
Roads around Cromwell and Alexandra were closed to all traffic, or those vehicles without chains, until yesterday afternoon.
Many children enjoyed a day out of the classroom, building snowmen and engaging in snowball fights in Alexandra, Clyde and Cromwell, which were the worst-hit by snow, receiving up to 7cm.
Residents were initially urged by police to stay at home and off the roads unless in an emergency.
Fulton Hogan Central and Works Infrastructure staff were kept busy spreading grit on roads during the morning, before the snow started to melt.
All outpatient clinics at Dunstan Hospital, in Clyde, were cancelled for the day, as were sport tournaments planned in and around Alexandra.
Along with schools, many early-childhood centres were also closed, and businesses either opened late or not at all.
Snow did not fall in the Maniototo, or around Roxburgh.
• While Queenstown received little more than light snow flurries on Thursday afternoon, the resort's two ski areas received a top-up.
The Remarkables received 5cm across the mountain, with its base now recorded at 75cm on the upper mountain and 55cm on the lower mountain.
At Coronet Peak the fall was slightly less, with 2cm of fresh snow recorded.
Coronet's base is now at 92cm on the upper mountain and 62cm at the base.
More snow is forecast in the area this weekend.
• The latest reports from the MetService predict 20cm to 30cm of snow could fall in the hills and ranges of eastern Otago this weekend.
A strong, cold easterly airstream became established between a front to the north and an intense high south of the country yesterday, bringing steady rain to Otago, a severe weather watch said.
Forecaster Allister Gorman said snow was initially expected to fall above about 600m, but as temperatures cooled during the weekend, snow should begin settling as low as 300m or 400m.
A close watch was being kept on the conditions.
Warnings would be issued if significant snowfall was expected below 500m (Saddle Hill is at 473m), Mr Gorman said.
