SNOW is frozen gold for mountain-top tourist towns in the Tamworth region, that are looking forward to welcoming a flurry of families when snow falls this week.
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A winter blast is forecast to hit in the coming days, bringing a sharp drop in temperatures and wild weather which could cause snow to fall at places like Walcha, Guyra and Hanging Rock, near Nundle.
Businesses across the region have welcomed the news that snow is on the way, while the authorities have warned locals to be cautious.
Nundle Woollen Mill owner Nick Bradford told the Leader the white stuff is "gold" to his community.
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"There are great photo opportunities and there is no doubt that snow events in Nundle and Hanging Rock create memories for life, and it's a really memorable experience," he said.
"Nundle is one of those places that has such a positive vibe to the village and people keep coming back."
Mr Bradford said the open fire at the pub was a hot attraction; a warm pie at the cafe; and a cosy wool beanie from the mill's shop.
"People travel for more than 100km to get to town and see the snow falls .. snow is good for Nundle," Mr Bradford said.
The wintry weather is forecast to blow into the region on Wednesday, but Thursday is expected to bring the coldest and harshest conditions.
Mr Bradford has lived in the Nundle area for 15 years, and tipped one of the best places to see snow was Sheba Dams, near Hanging Rock.
But, Mr Bradford has also seen enough to know what can happen when first-time snow-goers aren't prepared, and warned locals it's really easy to get into trouble on slippery roads and in snowy conditions.
New England North West State Emergency Service (SES) boss Superintendent Mitch Parker said his crews were gearing up to help out as the cold front moves in.
He said his biggest concern was black ice on the road, which can be "extremely dangerous".
"We need people to drive to the conditions of the environment," he said.
"In the snow, you're not getting far in a two-wheel-drive so you could potentially cause injury to yourself and others."
According to weather maps from the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM), snow could fall as low as 900 metres on Thursday.
Walcha, Hanging Rock, Ben Lomond, Guyra and Glen Innes are on the list of places that could become winter wonderlands on Thursday.
There is a chance of snow in Armidale on Wednesday.
Although Tamworth locals will need to take a trip out of town to visit the snow, residents will still have to rug up well.
The cold snap is expected to hit the city on Wednesday, with the maximum temperature tipped to be an icy 12 degrees.
Thursday will be even colder, with a low of one degree and a top of nine degrees.
There's plenty of moisture around as well, and the BoM has forecast up to 35mm of rain to fall in Tamworth during a gloomy Tuesday and Wednesday.
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