Methven, New Zealand – Winds gusting to 200 kph (124 mph) stranded more than 1,000 skiers at New Zealand’s Mt. Hutt on Thursday when the brutal weather conditions closed the ski area’s access road.nThe winds were strong enough to blow out car windows in the parking lot. Lifts shut down at 11:40 a.m. and by 12:30 p.m., weather closed the access road. More than 1,000 guests, including 300 schoolchildren, and 120 staff spent the night huddled in Mt. Hutt’s base lodge.

Ski area officials closed the bar to limit rowdiness, and served the unplanned guests breakfast this morning before winds were expected to subside sufficiently to reopen the road later this morning.