White-out conditions at Mt Ruapehu have forced the evacuation of dozens of people from the slopes today.

A blizzard that hit the mountain had dumped stacks of snow on the mountain’s Whakapapa and Turoa skifields overnight - and left around 30 people trapped in nearby lodges.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts said the visitors, who had stayed on the mountain overnight, had to be escorted by staff down to Ohakune and Whakapapa village after operators closed access roads this morning.

All of the trapped visitors are believed to have been accounted for.