Ski season just around the corner

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 438, 27 May 1992, Page 5

Ski season just around the corner

"Don't look now, but is that another great ski season coming this way?" That seems to be the feeling around Ruapehu this Autumn- Winter, as the fun season approaches. All the weatherman signs are pointing to a good ski season, and the skifields are almost ready. Turoa New for 1992: Heading the list is a new carpark at the head of the loop road, ensuring latearriving skiers will get a parking space and' a shuttle service transporting them the rest of the way to the slopes. Turoa's latest and greatest addition is "the digger" - a piece of 'green' machinery used on the upper slopes to move rocks and rubble - in an environmentally friendly manner - to make the trails more user friendly and more importantly increase Turoa's chances of an earlier opening this season. Slope works include increasing space at the Giant Chair off-load area and creating an improved traffic flow through to the High Noon T-Bar. A permanent electronically operated "fun for all" race course is currently being installed on the Yahoo Trail, on the Giant Chair, enabling budding racers to test their skills. Skiers will be able to race for their own best personal time or compete against friends, with the course also catering for clubs, lodges and school groups.

A "charter an instructor" scheme run by the Ski School gives groups or individuals the opportunity to hire an instructor for one hour, one day or one week. Other Ski School activities include snowboard instruction, ladies days, mens days and race weeks. Prices This year Turoa has introduced all lifts and ski lesson daily packages for midweek skiers - cost 'adult $60, student $55, child $35. Learn to ski packages are priced at $42 adult/student, and $24 child. The package includes a beginner pass, full ski hire and a twohour ski lesson. The Turoa Card is back in circulation. For $42 card holders will enjoy two $1 skiing days (3 July and 2 October). Card holders also receive discounts on accommodation, restaurants, ski shops, adventure activities and at the Waimarino Wine Shop. Lift passes for 1992 are priced as follows: adult day $42 - with Turoa Card $35; student $36 (student ID essential); child $18 (14 years and under.) Whakapapa In addition to regular maintenance, capital works development and a summer sightseeing operation, Whakapapa opened its lifts for skiing over Christmas and New Year.- possibly the first time an Australasian ski resort has opened for skiing during summer.

The effort proved extremely successful with over 7000 skiers visiting the mountain during the 10 day "season". Major developments have centred around the western slopes of the National Downhill area and in Happy Valley. The towers on the Far West T-Bar have been lengthened to allow the lifts to open earlier after heavy snowfalls and increase the utilisation of the lift. The lift will become electrified enabling a quieter, more efficient and environmentally friendly operation. A new 20 seat food kiosk with a large verandah has been built below the top of the West Ridge Quad Chairlift, giving skiers spectacular mountain views. The verandah on the Knoll Ridge Cafeteria has also been doubled in size to ease congestion during peak lunch-hour periods. Phase Two of the redevelopment of Happy Valley's beginners slopes includes the erection of a new ski rental building to house and service a further 300 sets of rental equipment. Beginners using Happy Valley will no longer have to take their skis on the chairlift.- a definite plus for apprehensive first-timers. The second rental outlet will also help to reduce queues at peak periods. Phase Three of the development will take place next year, with the addition of a new cafeteria and amenities building. Happy Valley also boasts a new Doppelmayr platter lift, with an uphill capacity of 750 skiers an hour. The new lift will allow beginners to develop additional skills and ease the transition to the other facilities on the upper slopes. Total cost of redevelopments over the summer is estimated between $1.2-1.5 million. Whakapapa intends to open its Happy Valley beginners' slopes this weekend, with the remainder of the ski field opening subject to further snowfalls. Prices June is Learn to Ski Month at Whakapapa, with such special offers as "Learn to Ski on a DB". Skiers that purchase that brand of beer from retail outlets receive a voucher entitling them to $10 off a first timer's package. Special conditions apply to the offer. Whakapapa once again offers their First Timers Pack, including a Happy Valley beginners lift pass, ski rental and a 1 1/2 hour ski lesson, complemented with a special midweek promotion in June. The 2-day beginners pack includes a two day Happy Valley beginners pass, two days ski rental and three

hours ski instruction. Prices are first timer's pack - adult $45, junior $25; two day beginners pack - adult $80, junior $45. New this year is a five day anytime pass, that allows skiers to ski any five days throughout the 1992 season. Cost: adult $189, student $162, junior $81. 1992 lift passes are priced as follows: Adult

day $42, student $36, junior $18. Beginner lifts - adult $28, student $28, junior $12. Ski both sides Whakapapa and Turoa have combined their talents to offer skiers the opportunity to ski either side with the Ski Ruapehu passes, priced at: 4 out of 5 days - adult $143, junior $85. 5 out of 7 - adult $179, junior $106.