NZSki closed the road on January 5, citing safety concerns at heavy vehicle traffic servicing the construction of a new skifield base building.
The Federated Mountain Clubs (FMC) and the New Zealand Alpine Club (NZAC) yesterday issued statements accusing the company of failing to consult outdoor recreation groups.
However, the Department of Conservation is backing the ski company, and its CEO says health and safety is ''not something you negotiate on''.
The road provides the only means of vehicle access to walking tracks and climbing areas in the Remarkables Conservation Area and Rastus Burn Recreation Reserve.
Queenstown mountaineer and NZAC spokesman Erik Bradshaw said NZSki's interpretation of its right to manage the road was ''excessive''.
''That the road is closed even on Sundays, when no-one is working on the site, leaves me speechless.''
The club was keen to work with the company on solutions, ''but they haven't been interested in talking to us''.
FMC president Robin McNeill said NZSki failed to realise the area's importance to the public for walking and climbing.
''Unilaterally closing the road without any meaningful public consultation, or even thinking of mitigation, is a huge oversight''.
NZSki CEO Paul Anderson said there was no time for consultation when base building contractor Arrow International raised health and safety concerns over its use of the road late last year.
''They were uncomfortable with the number of near-misses we had observed with construction traffic and public vehicles on the road at the same time.''
Although it had initially hoped to maintain access throughout the construction period, ''we really had no practical options to take other than to close the road for a temporary time''.
He denied NZSki was unwilling to discuss the issue with the clubs, saying he had spoken to Mr McNeill at length, and would meet a representative of NZAC next week.
However, there was no scope for opening the road on days when construction was not proceeding, because rutting caused by heavy trucks and trailers made it hazardous.
He was surprised by the clubs' criticism, given the company had provided almost continuous public access to the road since it was opened 30 years ago.
''We just ask for a little bit of tolerance for a relatively short period of time.''
