Snow Country Ahead

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 290, 13 June 1989, Page 4 (Supplement)

Snow Country Ahead

On the highway near Peter Bethwaite's shop in Owhango there is a road sign which reads "39 deg South." Skiers from the North regard the sign as an introduction to the "Snow Country" - and if this is the case, Mr Bethwaite's shop in such close proximity will provide an added shot of adrenalin. For the past nine seasons, Mr Bethwaite has been looking after skiers who break their journey at his One Stop Ski Shop to hire skis, poles and boots, buy

sunglasses and suncream, or new boots and clothing from a range which would do any city store prcad. They can fill their cars from a pump outside his door - and they can step next door for some of the best takeaways south of the 39 deg line. A keen skier in his youth now largely denied the pleasure "because looking after 300 sets of skis is more than a full time job," Mr Bethwaite has been an Owhango resident for 25 years. He had a grocery on the site until Carters mill

was twice razed by fire and 30 families forced to leave the district. Then a new wave of young farmers took over much of the land; instead of shopping in Owhango they preferred to travel to the supermarket in Taumarunui, browse through other shops and generally "have a day out." "But I liked the town to much too shut up shop and leave," Mr Bethwaite .said, "so I switched into the ski industry - and I never regretted the move."

Even though their were only a few pockets of light snow well above the skyline on Mt Ruapehu he is selling new equipment to a variety of people all the time. And when the snow does fall in earnest, it is not uncommon for all the shop's 300 sets of skis, boots and poles to leave Owhango on weekend hire. "Thats when the fun really starts," he says. "I have to call on my wife, two sons and a daughter, and a couple of friends to lend a hand. On a Sunday especially, everyone seems to leave the mountain at the same time." "You could say I arn locked in the shop for six months of the year. But I don't mind it a bit. It's fun being able to help people and many of our customers come back year after year. I can now truthfully call them my friends." For the convenience of shop, factory and office ; workers who might be 1 delayed in Auckland, Mr Bethwaite's shop is often open until the early hours of the morning. "They drive here straight from work, pick up their gear and, 30 minutes later, they can be at the Top o' the Bruce," Mr Bethwaite said. Reprinted from NZ Herald