Coberger calls for new ski comers

Ruapehu Bulletin, 22 June 1993, Page 7 (Supplement)

Coberger calls for new ski comers

This country's best known skier, Annelise Coberger, will help encourage thousands of New Zealanders to experience the thrills of skiing for the first time, this winter. Annelise first put her feet into a pair of ski boots at the age of three and like all learners, she was a little unsteady at first and invested in a few lessons. With careful instruction and a lot of determination, she went on to compete in club racing and is now New Zealand's first ever Winter Olympic medallist. "Only a small number of skiers compete competitively so the majority of people get involved simply for enjoyment and to experience the thrill of a day on the .slopes," says Annelise. "Learning is fun and anyone can do it. That is what is so fantastic about the sport," says Annelise. Annelise adds that while skiing is not difficult to learn, it is important that people are taught the basics, which in turn makes a difference to their overall enjoyment. This year, she is giving her support to the New Zealand Ski Council's 'Let's Go Skiing New Zealand' campaign, which is designed to introduce newcomers to the sport. For only $20 per person, participants are offered a package of rental skis, boots and poles, a beginner's lesson by a professional instructor and a day's access to the learners' slopes. "The programme is a

great opportunity to put skiing to the test for a very affordable price," says Annelise. Mr Miles Davidson, Executive Director of the New Zealand ski Council which runs the programme at 10 ski areas throughout the country said 'Let's Go Skiing New Zealand' has helped more than 30,000 people learn to ski over the past five years. A survey of 1991 participants showed that nearly half had returned to the slopes by the end of the next season. Registrations for the programme open at ski shops throughout the country next week and run until 16 July. The

programme starts on 24 July and runs to 1 August. The demand for participation in previous years meant that limits on the number of people able to take part at each ski area would continue. The ten ski areas hosting the programme are Whakapapa and Turoa in the North Island and Rainbow, Porter Heights, Mount Hutt, Ohaku, Cardrona, Treble Cone, Coronet Peak and The Remarkables in the South Island. "It doesn't matterwhether you're a learner or a world champion - the more you put into it, the more you get out of it," says Annelise.