Weather challenges busy businesses

After more than two years of Covid interruptions and a lack of tourists, the winter school holidays held much promise for tourism operators in the Mackenzie and Waitaki.

But great snowfalls and forward bookings were little match for the weather which eventuated.

High Country Salmon business operations manager Tracey Gunn said the snow, rain, slips, washouts and many road closures had definitely disrupted business.

‘‘Since Covid began, the school holidays in May and July was a lifesaver for a lot of people who relied on the cashflow.

‘‘It’s [the number of customers] nowhere near the number of people we would usually get during the school holidays,’’ Gunn said.

‘‘It’s disappointing because we’re quite busy during the school holidays and the takings will be down.’’

Fully-booked but closed

A spokesperson at Hot Tubs Ō mārama said they had been forced to close at a time when they were fully booked.

They said they were cleaning up as the water receded, but did not expect to reopen until Sunday.

Knee-deep in water

Ō mā rama Top 10 Holiday Park coowner Erwin Beiboer, who had to evacuate 60 guests on Monday night, said he had started to assess the damage as the waters receded.

Twelve units were flooded and the campground’s roads were destroyed, so he predicted the damage would put him out of business for a couple of months.

Ō hau Snow Fields and Lake Ō hau Lodge owner-operator Mike Neilson said they have had to cancel bookings this week due to the weather and road closures.

‘‘It’s a normal part of winter.’’

Stop-start skiing

Mt Dobson Ski Area business and snowsports manager James Lazor said the weather had been ‘‘really challenging’’ but the car park was full yesterday afternoon.