500 people snowed in at New Zealand ski resorts

Hundreds of people are trapped in ski resorts on New Zealand’s North Island after wild storms and heavy snowfall.

About 500 people are snowed inside Skotel Alpine Resort and Chateau Tongariro on Mt Ruapehu in the Tongariro National Park, reported the NZ Herald.

Skotel Alpine Resort general manager Rebecca Dalgarno, who is at Whakapapa Village, told stuff.co.nz they were ‘just trying to survive’.

Hundreds of people are trapped in ski resorts on New Zealand’s North Island after wild storms and heavy snowfall. Pictured is the

Ms Dalgarno said they were ‘trying to get through the day. Taking it hour by hour’.

‘It’s horrendous weather. Absolutely nuts up here.’ She said they had landlines and power but a surge overnight had ‘fried’ their Eftpos and internet.

She said guests had been pretty good, and they understood there was nothing that could be done about it, but some were worried about international flights they are meant to be catching today and tomorrow.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts marketing manager Matt McIvor said there were also people stuck in other ski club lodges on the mountain but said they are well equipped for the isolation.

Source: Around 500 people snowed in at New Zealand ski resorts