One of New Zealand's most important tourism routes, State Highway 94 from Te Anau to Milford Sound, has been closed by snow since Thursday, and no respite is likely today.
Real Journeys chief executive Dave Hawkey said yesterday there were dozens of tourism staff in Milford but no tourists.
He estimated 40 to 50 staff from Real Journeys, Southern Discoveries, Cruize Milford, Mitre Peak Cruises, the Milford Development Authority, the Department of Conservation and the Fiordland Lobster Co were staying in Milford accommodation.
About 25 of his staff were in Milford Village at this time of year. The tourist operator was in radio contact and staff were well supplied with food and other essentials. "It's nothing new to us. Obviously the length of time the road's closed can cause some issues, but at the moment, we're OK."
Mr Hawkey said the company might transport staff by helicopter if the closure continued.
Milford Sound cruise boats were also tied up because of the weather.
• A severe storm on Friday night caused "significant structural damage" to the landing pontoon at the Milford Discovery Centre and Milford Deep Underwater Observatory, making it unsafe to berth boats.
Southern Discoveries said yesterday the two operations were "unavailable" for about six weeks.
The discovery centre and underwater observatory did not suffer damage and the observatory's prized black coral beds were undamaged, as they were lowered into deeper water before the storm hit.
The company would be working with engineers and insurance assessors to fix the landing pontoon as soon as possible.
