Private skiing anyone?

Ruapehu Bulletin, 3 August 1993, Page 3 (Supplement)

Private skiing anyone?

By Jenelle Frewen If the thought of skiing on your own private snowfield has appeal then Tukino , on the eastern slopes of Ruapehu, is for you. Currently maintained and operated by three North Island ski clubs, Tukino is a small field with two major runs, for advanced level skiers, and two rope tows. Access to Tukino is by 4-wheel-drive vehicles only along an unsealed road off State Highway 1, around 20km north of Waiouru. The three clubs which hold concessions to use Tukino are the Christiania Ski Club based at Hamilton, the Aorangi Ski Club from Wellington and

the Desert Alpine Club from Auckland. These three clubs, while operating privately and independently must follow guidelines set down by the Department of Conservation. "The Department of Conservation's Management Plan only provides for the Club arrangement at Tukino, and while currently there are only three huts at the field the maximum allowable is five huts," said regional conservator Paul Green Conditions at Tukino last weekend were excellent, Christiania club members said, with the road, which is usually quite difficult to negotiate, in good repair. The runs at Tukino are fairly similar to some of those offered at Whakapapa. Tukino's altitude is about level with

the Knoll Ridge Cafe at Whakapapa, and it's top run is about the same length as Knoll Ridge while Tukino's lower run is about one-third shorter. The small field at Tukino lends itself ideally to family-orientated club skiing and around 50 to 60 club members use the field at weekends during the season. Non club members may use the facilities at Tukino, but only by special arrangement with the Tukino Mountain Clubs Association, and generally on designated days under Club supervision..