Source: Youtube/WeatherMedia

About 300 hundred skiers were stuck in Mt. Hutt due to New Zealand's erratic weather. Poor visibility and drifting snow were mentioned as the reasons why the ski resort had to close its operations.

According to Mt Hutt's ski area manager James McKenzie, management was informed of the approaching poor weather forecast. The weather situation quickly became worse which prompted the ski area management to close down for safety reasons.

Since the skiers cannot get off the mountain, they were stranded for several hours. Mr McKenzie said management decided to close the mountain while some people made it safely down the road. Unfortunately, the intense blowing of snow and strong winds meant there was poor visibility which would have made it more dangerous for skiers to go down the mountain. The road was completely closed after the weather worsened.

The ski resort manager said the closure was meant to protect the skiers as management monitored the weather conditions. He said all 316 skiers were doing fine. They have plenty of hot drinks, food and space in the building. Management assured the safety of skiers while still stuck in the mountain.

After weather conditions have improved, skiers made it safely down the mountain. Cars and buses had earlier taken 270 students, parents and staff from Mt Hutt College down the mountain.

The ski field will remain closed until Friday depending on weather conditions. New Zealand was hit by a cold snap which brought more snowfall and gales in some parts of the country.

Strong earthquake in Wellington

Wellington was rocked by a 5.1 magnitude earthquake with an epicentre 35 kilometres north east of Seddon with a depth of 16 kilometres. The strong quake hit Wellington at around 12:04 am and was felt by residents. No damages were reported because of the earthquake.

Wellington as well as the Marlborough regions in New Zealand had been experiencing earthquakes since the severe 6.5 magnitude quake that hit Seddon in July 2013.

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