Two skiers were located by a helicopter on the Ohau Range over the back of the Ohau Snow Fields about 8am, shortly after six Malaysian tourists and their helicopter pilot were lifted off the Ben Ohau Range further north.
The skiers were New Zealand Herald photographer Sarah Ivey (28), of Auckland but formerly of Glentanner, and James Macphee (27) of Hastings.
Constable Nayland Smith, of Omarama, told the Otago Daily Times Ohau's ski patrol notified police at 3.45pm on Monday two skiers were 15 minutes overdue.
With just 45 minutes of daylight remaining, a helicopter was called in but low cloud restricted the search and also a later helicopter search using night-vision goggles.
Other search parties attempting to find the skiers via a 4WD track were also unsuccessful and the search was abandoned for the night about 11pm.
About 8am yesterday, after a still, relatively warm night, the cloud lifted, allowing a helicopter to spot the skiers' tracks, a "help" message they had written in the snow and then the skiers themselves.
Snow Fields owner-opera-tor Mike Neilson said the skiers had been in deep snow in the "out of bounds" area of the mountain when the cloud came in.
They had a choice of three routes and chose the one that took them away from Snow Fields and into an area without cellphone coverage.
"When you get a white-out, cloud closing in thick like that, it is very easy to get disorientated and to get vertigo and to really not know where you are.
"Even experienced people can struggle."
He considered the two skiers had handled the situation "pretty well", heading for the bush to shelter overnight.
The low cloud also caught out Helicopter Line pilot Russell Gutschlag (77) and a group of six Malaysian tourists, who had flown to the Gladstone Stream on the Ben Ohau Range for a scenic flight and walk in the snow.
The helicopter had landed at 1800m about 2pm on Monday and Senior Constable Les Andrew, of Twizel, said the weather quickly closed in, keeping the aircraft on the ground.
Another helicopter was sent, but could not get within 1000m.
About 5.45pm the decision was made that those on board the helicopter would "hunker down" for the night.
Snr Const Andrew said the Squirrel helicopter was equipped for such contingencies and carried thermal gear, food, hot water, a stove and other equipment.
Temperatures dropped to -10degC overnight but by 6.30am yesterday the cloud had lifted, allowing the tourists and Mr Gutschlag to be picked up and returned to Twizel for food and hot showers.
Snr Const Andrew said the tourists - three couples in their 40s and 50s - were in "good spirits", although Mr Gutschlag required a check-up for "possible frostbite" to his feet.
The tourists were flown to Te Anau yesterday, to resume their tour of the South Island. - Additional reporting The New Zealand Herald
