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Mt Hutt skifield - Source: ONE News -
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More than 300 children are among the hundreds stranded at Mt Hutt ski field tonight, getting an impromptu sleepover instead of a day trip.
The roads to and from the mountain are closed due to dangerously high winds, some hitting more than 200 kilometres an hour.
The huge gusts and poor visibility closed the access road shortly after midday, leaving around 1200 skiers and 100 staff trapped.
People are holed up in the base buildings and the cafeteria. Staff have spent the evening dishing out meals and keeping their unexpected guests happy.
Mt Hutt Ski Field assistant manager James McKenzie told ONE News Tonight that the winds were still around 130 kilometres at 10pm, and that further strong winds were forecast.
He described the weather as "wild", but said the forecast showed an easing by 6am Friday.
There are several school groups on the mountain, including a group from Chisnallwood Intermediate, and one from Ashburton College..
Ashburton College teacher, Karen McKenzie , told ONE News the children weren't too worried about staying the night.
"The kids are all laughing and think its a great adventure that they can stay. We're all warm and comfortable. It's pretty packed but they've looked after us. Mt Hutt staff are doing a really good job because they're going round picking up rubbish and keeping people entertained, giving kids crayons and free things," she said.
"The winds came up very quickly, and didn't give much warning. At one point they were getting up to 206 kilometres an hour. At around 2pm we got an update and everyone was told to go into the cafe and we've been there ever since."
She said using the toilet is challenging.
"The gusts are still strong, car windows have smashed because of them. If you go to the toilet you have to hold onto ropes. So really this is the safest place we could be."
The closure comes after a series of natural weather events and accidents have hit Mt Hutt's winter ski season. Just this week, an avalanche closed the mountain briefly.
Along with that, three skiers have been killed and one seriously injured since the season opened in July.
None of the people on the mountain are at any risk. James McKenzie said people will be able to leave as soon as the weather settles.
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