Queenstown locals swarmed to Coronet Peak in 2018 after the year's best snowfall arrived in spring.

There were sick days, late starts and snow days at Queenstown businesses as locals mobbed to local skifields to make the most of the biggest snow fall of the year.

Coronet Peak was the first to open, with many skiers and boarders paying extra for a "first tracks" pass allowing them to ride the chairlift at 8am – an hour earlier than usual – to enjoy 60 centimetres of new snow and bluebird weather.

So many people turned up by 10am that newcomers had to be stopped on the access road and forced to wait until others left.

DEBBIE JAMIESON/STUFF Thousands of Queenstown locals turn out to ski Coronet Peak after the biggest dump of the season arrived in September.

Coronet Peak ski area manager Nigel Kerr said the road closure was lifted an hour later, as the early riders made their way to work.

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"We have had a big day numbers wise, with over 3000 and a big chunk lined up for First Tracks at 7.45am and then spread across the mountain."

The nearby Remarkables skifield was still affected by the power cuts that hit much of the Queenstown area during Monday's snow. It used a backup generator to operator on Tuesday, which restricted access to some lifts.

QLDC Queenstown Lakes District Council contractors remove trees from Glenorchy Rd after heavy snow brought them down on Monday.

Snow bunnies at Cardrona Alpine Resort got to enjoy 54cm of new snow.



Cardrona Alpine Resort communications executive Jen Houltham said it felt like half of Wanaka was at the skifield.

The mountain planned to close on October 14 but, due to Monday's big dump, would keep some lifts open a week longer.

Bright sunshine and a frost-free night meant much of the snow that landed during Monday's storm was melting on Tuesday.

Many people were still without power though the day after snow and fallen trees damaged powerlines.

Lines company Aurora restored power to about 290 houses on Tuesday in Fernhill, Arrowtown and Queenstown but 360 customers in Glenorchy still had no power late on Tuesday.

The only road to the town was closed with fallen trees, preventing access for work crews.

A line near Bob's Cove was inspected by helicopter in the morning and it was confirmed damage was limited to the one area at Bob's Cove.

"Every effort is being made to complete repairs and restore power to the Glenorchy township by nightfall," the company said in a statement.

"Given the extent of the damage, Glenorchy customers currently without power should prepare for the power to remain off overnight. Even with these repairs, approximately 90 customers beyond Glenorchy may remain without power overnight."

Schools were open again on Tuesday after closing because of the snow on Monday, and Queenstown Airport was fully operational again after more than 30 flights were cancelled on Monday.