Expert: Don Boddie - 4/9/2009

Question
My husband and I will be on the South Island for about 10 days, 3 days of skiing.  We would like to spend about 5 days touring and are concerned about road conditions (ice etc.) Could you please let me know which main roads are particularly bad in August as we would prefer to avoid those.

Answer
Hi Janine,
            Your question arrived while we were away for Easter, hence the delay in answering.
August is probably the coldest month and any of the roads in the deep south can be affected by snow and ice, it all depends on the weather.
Obviously many of the high country roads are more liable to be affected but the road gangs are pretty good at keeping them open.

I would go ahead and make whatever arrangements you would prefer and then just keep an eye on the weather conditions each day. There is a weather report on local radio every 1/2 hour in the mornings and evenings and local road reports so you will not find it hard to know what the road conditions are like.
Plus everyone in the south island is a weather expert and will give you their opinion whether you ask for it or not.
Good luck and enjoy the skiing.

Don Boddie