Snowmen, snow fights, snow wallabies and snowboarders were to be seen all around the town yesterday morning, with people making the most of the snowfall - described as comparable to that of 2007, particularly at Arthurs Point.
Thousands of children were kept home from schools - and made the most of the day off sledging on snow-covered parks around the town, joined by snowboarders who were kept away from Coronet Peak and the Remarkables, which were both closed.
"I'm not going anywhere in a great hurry.
"I was thinking of going out this morning until I got out of bed ... I couldn't look out my windows upstairs; they're sloping and they were buried under a foot of snow."
About 20cm of snow fell in the suburb, which is about 5km from Queenstown.
While the snow was welcomed by many in the Wakatipu, it caused headaches for the Queenstown Lakes District Council and its roading contractor Downer EDI - on its sixth day of gritting, clearing and helping stricken motorists.
Council transportation manager Denis Mander said motorists ignoring advice from Downer EDI to fit or carry chains had caused several problems.
"People are thinking, or choosing, not to take our contractor's advice.
"[On] the Crown Range ... people are trying to get around [the barriers] and think they're bulletproof.
"I think people don't accept the seriousness of what we've got out there.
"People need to properly assess the conditions before getting in their cars and driving when roads are covered in snow and ice.
"We're still seeing vehicles without chains being abandoned on roadsides because their owners didn't think their decision through properly."
While a break from the snow was expected today, it would not necessarily mean easy travelling conditions, with a night-time freeze having the potential to cause "treacherous" conditions on roads and footpaths.
"Speed needs to be kept down and following distances need to be increased over the next couple of days.
"If it is icy, try and delay your journey till later in the day, when conditions thaw slightly.
"If in doubt about getting to your destination safely, stay put," Mr Mander said.
Northern Southland Transport Holdings Cromwell freight manager Mark Wingham said two Northern Southland trucks had been stuck in the snow from 7am to 11.30am. He said it was a significant disruption to the business.
"The drivers said it took ages to get it sorted, but that was only because of the conditions," he said.
Senior Constable Jape Wanoa, of Roxburgh, said he had seen a couple of cars that had been abandoned between Shingle Creek and Gorge Creek.
New Zealand Transport Agency Central Otago area manager John Jarvis said the agency advised that chains were essential at 8am and the road was officially closed at 10am. It was reopened at 11.50am.
