The storm could not have been timed better for those already in Queenstown to ski in the school holidays, but was likely less welcome to those travelling at ground level across the region yesterday.
Highways across inland Otago were progressively reopened as the day went on following snow and black ice on Tuesday and yesterday morning.
The only state highways remaining closed at 6pm last night were SH85 between Kyeburn and Palmerston (the Pigroot) and SH93 between Mataura and Clinton.
The Lindis Pass (SH8) between Omarama and Tarras and the Haast highway, which was closed on the Otago side (SH6) to Hawea, reopened about midday.
SH85 between Becks and Kyeburn and SH87 Kyeburn to Outram reopened about 3.30pm.
Ice and snow showers affected most of the region throughout the day, though not significantly adding to snow on the ground that remained unthawed from Tuesday.
By yesterday afternoon both Coronet Peak and the Remarkables ski areas had received about 25cm of snow.
Coronet Peak ski area manager Nigel Kerr said about 15cm fell in 90 minutes early Tuesday afternoon.
''It [the snow] is just so dry.
''We were making snow so dry to start with, you add this to it, it's just silk.''
Treble Cone received 15cm of new snow in the two days to 6pm yesterday, while Cardrona received 10cm in the 24 hours to 7am yesterday.
Snow and ice at lower levels affected roads and flights in Queenstown.
Queenstown Airport was not able to resume normal operations until 12.15pm after changeable weather conditions forced operations into a ''holding pattern''.
The first to land yesterday was an Air New Zealand flight from Auckland scheduled to arrive in Queenstown at 9.55am - it did not touch down until 12.08pm.
In total two incoming flights and three outbound flights were cancelled and several flights were delayed.
About 8.30am yesterday the Queenstown Lakes District Council closed Lake St, which runs from from Man St to Lake Esplanade, due to the treacherous conditions.
Despite continued snowfall the Crown Range Rd remained open, but snow chains were required.
In Central Otago contractors spent the day gritting roads. Roads in Manuherikia and Maniototo were mostly open.
Only Danseys Pass Rd remained closed and the gravel section of St Bathans Loop Rd was open to 4WDs only.
In the Clutha District motorists were warned various patches of black ice across the district's roads would probably remain this morning.
Waipori Rd had 7cm-8cm of snow and 4WD was recommended there, in Switzers Rd and on Owaka Valley Rd from Hunt Rd to SH93, a council spokeswoman said.
Papatowai Highway and Owaka Highway had patches of snow but were driveable with caution, while the Moa Flat area was driveable with 5cm of snow on the road. West Otago Rd had black ice and frozen snow.
Lawrence and Tapanui community board meetings were cancelled.
