Skiers scurry as storm rages over Ruapehu (+video)

MORE TO COME: Another bout of strong winds and heavy rain is forecast to hit the North Island on Wednesday.

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Mt Ruapehu's ski fields were back in business today after thousands of people were evacuated from the mountain when winds reached 200kmh during Saturday's storm.
View video: Weather bomb hits North Island

Both Whakapapa and Turoa were open today after remaining closed yesterday for maintenance as a result of storm damage, a Whakapapa spokeswoman said.

About 2000 skiers formed human chains as they scrambled to safety from "insane" weather as 200kmh winds battered Mt Ruapehu, sparking a 12-hour evacuation.

Turoa and Whakapapa ski-field management said they were caught out by the wild weather, but had no regrets about opening.

Ten thousand skiers were on Mt Ruapehu when the storm struck at 10.30am on Saturday, two hours earlier than forecast, in the "weather bomb" that swept much of the North Island. Most skiers got off the mountain but about 2000 "diehards" continued till the fields were closed.

Ski-field staff spent 12 hours guiding skiers down the slopes and leading cars along the mountain roads in groups of five, but 100 vehicles had to be left in the car parks overnight.

"One minute it was a beautiful, clear winter's day, then the weather was horrendous. It was unbelievable," Ruapehu Alpine Lifts spokesman Mike Smith said.

"There were a few people who were quite scared, but I don't think we made a bad decision in opening. That's a question we have asked ourselves but I don't think anyone could have predicted how quickly the weather was going to come in. It was just one of those things.

"I expected it to worsen gradually throughout the afternoon, but this came in very fast. Normally you know when a storm is coming, but there was no warning.

"One minute it was beautiful, thousands of people were having a lovely time, then bang and it was not quite so lovely. I guess nature throws up things to show you who is in charge.

"It was a pretty interesting night, very freaky, but everyone coped well. But it's not something I want to do again in a hurry."

Police said they had no problem with the ski-fields having been opened, but a snowboarder wished he had not gone up the mountain.

"The wind was unreal. I've never felt anything like it. I was really glad when I got off the mountain. There were plenty of kids up there who didn't know what was happening. It has definitely made me think twice about going up if bad weather is forecast."

- © Fairfax NZ News