Clearing way for snow fun

THE state has a pool of at least 16 snow-clearing vehicles it can draw on which are placed at high-risk snow sites ahead of predicted heavy falls, says a government department.

Ski field operators and businesses close to snow hot spots across the state are preparing for an influx of people looking for snow fun this weekend.

On Wednesday, owner of Mt Field-based business Waterfalls Cafe and Gallery, Rachel Power, said with so much snow settling across the state, equipment was in short supply.

“This is the catch with snow tourism,” she said.

A spokesman for the State Growth Department said road maintenance contractors had two vehicles in the northeast, nine in the South and five in the North-West, which are strategically placed at high-risk snow sites around the state road network.

“All snow-clearing assets are pre-positioned from their base locations throughout the state depending on predicted weather forecasts and existing road conditions,” the spokesman said.

“Snow clearing is carried out on state roads in a prioritised way, taking into account community access, as well as traffic and freight demand.

“There is a vehicle based at Mt Field and crew are on standby there if needed and, wherever possible, access to Mt Field will be enabled during winter snowfall events, particularly on weekends when demand is highest.”

After receiving a generous dumping over the last few days,

Mt Wellington is now partly accessible for those chasing fun in the snow. As of 4pm Thursday, Pinnacle Road on kunanyi/Mt Wellington was open to The Springs, with just a 500m walk to get to the snow.

Co-owner-operator of The Springs business Lost Freight, Megan Spillane, said the cafe had been busy all day after being forced to close for the previous two days due to snow closing the road at the base of the mountain.

“There’s plenty of snow for everyone – the boys have been up there clearing the road so hopefully it’s open to the top even by tomorrow [Friday],” she said.

“We had to shut for two days, but snow days like this help make up for those days we have to close.”