Four-wheel-drive vehicles without chains caused problems on the access road to the Cardrona Alpine Resort yesterday morning.
With 35cm of new snow on the skifield over 48 hours, chains were required to be fitted at times.
General manager Bridget Legnavsky said while drivers of two-wheel-drive vehicles generally carried chains, quite a number of four-wheel-drives did not, and caused delays as a result.
"Four-wheel-drives have to carry chains.
"That's the message,'' Ms Legnavsky said.
"If they get stopped on the road they cause a whole traffic jam which makes it really hard on everyone else.''
Windy conditions on the field meant lifts did not start running until 11.30am and stopped at various times during the day.
Ms Legnavsky said about 2500 skiers used the field but she believed many people "turned around and went home'' because of the wind and the road conditions.
She expected the wind to continue over the weekend with more snow on Monday.
The Treble Cone Ski Area confirmed yesterday it will open today for the first time this season.
General manager of sales and marketing Sophie Luther said the recent storm and good snowmaking conditions meant the home basin and learner areas could open.
However, winds forecast for today meant the saddle basin would be on hold until control work had been completed - possibly by noon.
The field employs almost 200 people who have been waiting more than three weeks to start work.
Ms Luther said everyone was "really excited'' about opening.
"There is a definite buzz in the air, ever since that storm came through.''
