Family deal for first time ski

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 294, 11 July 1989, Page 5 (Supplement)

Family deal for first time ski

Families are being offered an introductory skiing opportunity - 'Learn to ski for just $10 - children 15 and under for free', later this month.

This is the best opportunity New Zealand families have ever had to had to 'give skiing a go'," says Miles Davidson, executive director of the New Zealand Ski Council, which, through its national "Let's Go Skiing New Zealand" programme, is giving first-time skiers a unique chance to experience skiing at minimal eost. The programme is designed to introduce more people to the sport and to make the experience easy, safe and fun, he says.

Participants receive a package of rental equipment (skis, boots and poles), a professional ski lesson and use of the learners slopes and lifts for a day at Whakapapa or Turoa. The programme runs for nine days between July 29 and August 6 with registrations opening on July 3. Thirty nine ski and sports shops throughout the country have joined the programme as registration and information centres to help people sign up and

answer any queries they have such as where to go, what to wear, what to bring, and how to get there. "The ski shops and ski areas are all geared up to help make this first time skiing experience as easy and fun

as possible for everyone who's keen to give it a go," says Miles Davidson. Hey Grans - give it a go! "The thing about skiing is that just about anyone can do it. You don't have to be an athlete - you can learn to ski from any age whether you're two years old or 82. "With today's modern teaching methods and ski equipment you can be past the beginner's stage and moving easily around a large part of the mountain after only a few lessons. In your first day alone you will learn how to turn, slow down and ride up the lifts." Miles says that skiing today is a relatively safe sport, statistically being no more hazardous than riding a bicycle. "In the old days of long stiff wooden skis,

non-support boots and non-release bindings it was a different story. With modern equipment such as fibreglass skis, "The thing about skiing is that just about anyone can do it." supporting plastic boots and quick-release bindings and the help of a good instructor, skiing is much, much safer," he said. Let's Go Skiing New Zealand is based on highly successful Cana-

dian and American models which have been running for several years. Research conducted on the Canadian programmes has indicated that 80 per cent of the people enrolled went on to become actively involved in the sport. The inaugural New Zealand programme has been funded by the six participating ski areas, the New Zealand Ski Industries Federation and the New Zealand Mountain Safety Council. According to Miles Davidson, it is the first

time in the history of New Zealand skiing that a national programme of this magnitude has got off the ground. If you are interested in registering for the programme, contact any one of the participating ski and sports shops in the Central North Island area: Albert Pointon Ski Shop (Taupo), One Stop Ski Shop (Owhango), Eivin's Ski Centre (National Park), Powderhorn Ski Barn (Ohakune), RAL Ski Shop (Top of the Bruce, Mt Riiapehu) or Tokaanu Ski Hire (Tokaanu).

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