More than 30cm fell in parts of Otago, Fiordland and Southland, with 5cm to lake level at Queenstown, about 10cm in Arrowtown and 25cm to lake level at Kingston.
Coronet Peak and the Remarkables were open for business, but chains were required on all vehicles. About 4500 people enjoyed powder snow at Coronet Peak and the Remarkables as they made the most of the best day of the season so far. Coronet had a snowbase of 90cm on the lower mountain and the Remarkables 45cm.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council advised that only vehicles with chains should attempt to travel in the Wakatipu yesterday. Many who either ignored the warning or did not know about it were forced to abandon their vehicles on the sides of roads because of the treacherous conditions.
Those who did not need to travel were advised to "stay put".
While roads in Queenstown remained open, State Highway 6 from Kingston to Frankton was closed at 6.30am, reopening just before 1pm, but remaining closed to towing vehicles.
Queenstown Airport was also affected and while it remained open, most inbound and outbound flights were cancelled.
A Jetstar service departed for Auckland after a five-hour delay, with an Air New Zealand service to Auckland departing after a delay of more than one hour.
A Jetstar service from the Gold Coast was delayed by about 35 minutes and Air New Zealand arrivals from Auckland were delayed by up to one hour.
Six arrivals and seven departures were cancelled by mid-afternoon.
The runway and apron were kept clear of snow by staff using tractors and ploughs.
"It's winter and this is what happens," Queenstown Airport Corporation chief executive Steve Sanderson said. "While it's disruptive, it's great news for the skifields and we'll clear it."
Connectabus expected its public bus services would be back to the normal schedule today after a late start yesterday. Buses were on the road by 11am yesterday, due to snow and ice - services normally start at 6am. Chains were fitted to the wheels of four or five buses, but conditions began to improve before chains on all buses were needed.
Marketing manager Morgan McCammon said yesterday Wakatipu roads were "quite challenging". However, virtually all services, including the main system, from Queenstown's Fernhill suburb, along Frankton Rd to Queenstown Airport, were running on schedule by lunchtime.
"We've done our best to deliver service and apologise to our clients for any inconvenience due to the weather."
Arrowtown was wrapped in pristine snow until late morning. Buckingham St was almost free of people, while some others - like Auckland's Colin McArthur - were not going to let a bit of snow interrupt their plans. He was seen just after 9am running down Berkshire St in his shorts.
Another enterprising man was spotted about 10am on Queenstown's Stanley St skiing into the resort, which was strangely quiet as many decided to head to skifields and make the most of the snow, while others - wisely - chose to stay indoors beside their fires.
The snow forced the closure of the Queenstown District Court and the ANZ Queenstown branch for the day, while the rubbish collection in the Wakatipu was also postponed.
Council transportation manager Denis Mander said a few motorists sustained "dings" yesterday, primarily because people did not adhere to advice on chains.
He warned conditions could be just as treacherous this morning due to ice and black ice. Grit trucks would be working through the night, but motorists were advised to carry chains.
