Men making snow on Ruapehu
Whakapapa Ski Area is looking at snowmaking systems for their Happy Valley beginners facility.
The system on trial has been working at nights when the temperature and humidity have been low enough. Results so far have been encouraging, says RAL. The airless, or fan jet guns pump approximately 360 gallons of water per hour, enough
to cover 1000 square metres 7cm deep in ideal conditions. The Department of Conservation have given permission for RAL to undertake summer slope grooming so only 20cm of snow will be needed to open the facility. RAL are hoping the snowmaking will allow Happy Valley to open earlier in the season in
time for the >valuable mid-term break in early July. Another advantage of good snow coverage throughout the season in Happy Valley will be the fact that Whakapapa
will be able to remain open in almost any weather. Because of its sheltered position, the Happy Valley facility can operate even on extremely windy days when the rest of the
mountain is closed. This has obvious advantages for tour operators catering to the beginner markets, say RAL. According to Whakapapa's ski company, the financial advantages of an earlier season accrue to the whole North Island ski industry, ski shops, accommodation houses and tour operators - so RAL may look to the industry to help fund the massive costs of installing a permanent system.
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Bibliographic details
Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 299, 11 August 1989, Page 15
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232Men making snow on Ruapehu Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 299, 11 August 1989, Page 15
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