Turoa breaks open days record

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 498, 10 August 1993, Page 1

Turoa breaks open days record

Turoa Ski Resort have enjoyed a record-breaking 30 consecutive days open, beating their previous best of 28 days recorded in 1983. General Manager Angus Grimwade is thrilled with the way the season is shaping up. "The weather has been excellent for skiing", he said. "We have had more sunny days so far this year than during the whole of last season and that keeps a smile on everyone's face." With all the fine weather, the skiing has

certainly not suffered, with skiing from top to bottom ever since opening at the beginning of last month. "There is certainly not as much snow around as last year", said Mr Grimwade, "but then it was a phenomenal year for snow in 1992." Over 6000 people enjoyed the facilities on the weekend, with all lifts operational. The Rossignol 'Dash for the Stash' attracted 12 teams, with a local team consisting of Chris Emmett, Brent Clay and

Neil Vallier, taking first place and prizes totalling more than $4000. Prizes included merchandise from sponsors Rossignol, Serangetti Sungiasses, Swatch, DB Export Dry, Ski Travel Specialists, and Turoa Ski Resort. The event attracted a tremendous crowd who came out to watch teams tackling the very demanding and hugely entertaining course. Instructors from the Turoa Ski School were put through their paces at the ski demo day held on the weekend.

Today (Tuesday) and Wednesday, the Ladies Day Ski School is underway, with fun and laughter being the emphasis of the event. Guest ski instructor Ali Thompson will take skiers in hand focusing on improving technique and style. This weekend 14-15 August, the Titleist Golf Classic gets underway at the Top of the Giant Chair, between 11amlpm. A 1994 Turoa season pass is up for grabs for the person making a hole-in-

one, or failing that, the closest shot to the hole. Whakapapa Over 7000 visitors to Whakapapa Skifield on the weekend enjoyed brilliant skiing and fine weather. All facilities were operational with the exception of the Centennial and National Downhill Chairlifts. The Pinnacles Platter Lift was available for access only. The Christianiea Ski Club Derby teams race was well attended, with some good times recorded Turn to page 2

Ski report

From page 1 by a number of teams. Whakapapa' s demo days are currently undeway and are being well received by skifield visitors, as were the weekend's Champernay giveaways at the bottom of the Centennial Chairlift, and the DB Export Dry barbeque. Whakapapa Skifield features on TV3's ' Snowbiz ' this Wednesday night, at 11.05pm. The show will run a story on snowgrooming and a feature on Happy Valley. Skifield injuries Whakapapa' s ski patrol were called into action on Saturday to assist a Hamilton woman who was knocked unconscious while sliding on an inner

tube on the skifield's lower slopes. The woman and her daughter collided with a fence while sliding. The woman's daughter was uninjured. The injured woman was air-lifted by rescue helicopter to Waikato Hospital, where her condition was described as stable. A climber on the Te Heuheu side of Mt Ruapehu on Sunday, fell and broke his leg. One of his two companions went for help for the injured man. He was transported by helicopter to Whakapapa Skifield's Iwikau Shelter for medical treatment. His leg was X-rayed on the field and placed in a cast by the skifield medical team.