The birthday celebrations have been going on all week in the small Canterbury town of Methven as Mt Hutt skifield turns 50.
It's a major milestone for the area and for one family in particular who has been in charge of making sure people can get to the slopes safely for all that time.
It's 3C and pitch black, high up in the Southern Alps. But every day as dawn breaks, there's a road to clear.
"A tradition - might be a burden," roading contractor Grant Hood laughed.
It's a tradition because Hood almost grew up on this road - his dad built it.
"It's a challenging road, it has its moments," Hood said.
The view from his seat is a million-dollar one. But not every day.
"It's a bit hectic during a storm," Hood said.
His dad battled more than a mountain to make sure a path was cut to Mt Hutt skifield.
"Dad actually put his own money in to make sure they got through," he said.
And now the multi-million-dollar business turns 50, welcoming thousands up the road every day.
"I found out a couple of years ago that we're on a website called 'the world's most dangerous roads'. I don't think that's a particularly good tag for our road, it's a two-lane highway up into the mountains," mountain manager James McKenzie said.
And it takes you to a wonderful winter playground which hasn't always had a smooth run.
"Earthquakes, 2011, we saw a big drop in business, chairlift taken out in 2013 by an avalanche, pandemics we had to get through," McKenzie said.
But the fan club keeps growing.
"It's the first time we've been up here for a long time, and it's amazing, just the right size, not too many people and the snow's fantastic," one person said.
"We love coming up here, it's so close to Christchurch, there's something for everyone," another added.
And they'll be celebrating the 50th birthday all week.
"Come up and enjoy the party," McKenzie said.
"To get to 50 years old and still going strong, it's really, really great," Hood added.
Thanks in part to the vision and hard work of the Hood family.
