About 7pm yesterday, they were finally able to eat, rehydrate and get medically checked.
They had spent almost 20 hours in their 4WD vehicles, buried or stuck in up to 2m-deep snowdrifts, 1370m on the Old Man Range above Piano Flat, near Roxburgh.
It is understood the 13 4WDs abandoned on Waikaia Bush Rd will remain in the snow over winter and be written off.
Rescued Winton man Daniel Cockery said the night was "eventful ... in the worst way possible''.
"We were well equipped. But obviously we got caught up in the weather so there was not much else we could do about that.''
It was a "wrong place, wrong time'' situation, he said.
It was "quite relieving'' to see rescue vehicles arrive, he said.
"They've done a great job.''
"It was -10degC I heard.''
Gemma Dodd endured the icy ordeal with her two children, Matthew (10) and Narzyna (8).
She said she was eagerly awaiting help.
"We've got a few blankets but it will be good to get out of here.''
She said some of the vehicles, which were spread out over an area of 100m, were buried in snow.
The snow came in thick and fast, preventing even the group's strongest vehicles from pushing through.
Ms Dodd's 4WD lost battery power but she was able to connect her car to another vehicle to keep warm.
The group was not equipped for an overnight stay and supplies were limited, she said.
Several attempts to reach the group by helicopter failed yesterday because of heavy rain and low visibility.
During one of the two rescue attempts yesterday morning, a helicopter came within a few kilometres of the group and two alpine cliff rescue specialists were dropped off, Fairfax reported.
Snowploughs were on their way from near Queenstown in case they were needed.
The party was brought out by truck-sized snowcats.
Thet were then transported by bus and 4WD vehicles to the rugby club where emergency services were stationed.
Rescuer Chris Coory, of Dunedin Land Search and Rescue, said the group was still dry when he reached them.
"They had vehicles running overnight to keep the heaters going, so they were warm.''
Anyone considering going on a 4WD trip should plan first, he said.
"It's really a matter of doing some research and knowing what the weather is going to do.
"Some of them were annoyed about having to leave the vehicles there.''
New Zealand Red Cross Queenstown Disaster Welfare Support Team leader Simon Smith said rehydration of the group was a top priority.
Warming them up slowly was crucial, he said.
"We need to warm them inside and out. Local volunteers provided pizza, Jimmy's Pies and soup.''
