Widespread black ice resulted in treacherous road conditions around Queenstown yesterday.
And ice on the runway at Queenstown Airport meant all flights were cancelled until late morning.
State Highway 6 between Queenstown and Cromwell was closed until mid-morning and Ladies Mile closed after three grit trucks failed to make the road safe for travel.
One car veered into a ditch n Ladies Mile and a second vehicle ended up on its side near The Remarkables turn-off, on State Highway 6, just after 6.30am.
Nine accidents were reported to police across Central Otago.
Queenstown police attended both serious crashes and said it was lucky no-one was seriously injured.
The station received several calls just after 6am as people struggled on the ice.
Acting Sergeant Jon Bisset urged caution.
''It's a reminder to the public to be really careful this time of year,'' he said.
''Always drive to the conditions on the road. This morning was a case of rain giving the perception there wasn't too much ice around, when that was far from the truth. It was probably one of our most treacherous days.''
Queenstown Lakes Mayor Vanessa van Uden could not remember Ladies Mile being closed before but said safety had to come above convenience.
''It's certainly an unfortunate set of weather conditions. I think people used their common sense and delayed travel. The schools opened later and people that had to be on the road drove with care.''
Queenstown Airport chief executive Scott Paterson said the decision to delay flights was made for safety reasons.
''The feedback we had from the rescue fire guys who do this inspection work was they have never seen anything like this before.''
Real Journeys confirmed coaches were delayed getting to Cardrona skifield.
Today's forecast for Queenstown is for an overnight low of 0degC and a high of 8degC, with afternoon showers and a westerly change.
- Louise Scott
