80 years' Skiing on a volcano

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 501, 31 August 1993, Page 2 (Supplement)

80 years' Skiing on a volcano

At this stage access to the National Park was difficult. Visitors frequently had to walk or ride great distances to reach the area. There was practically nowhere to stay and, as is still the case today, the weather was often inclement. The Ruapehu Ski Club pressured the Park for accommodation on the western side of the Park and in 1917 permission was given for a hut to be erected in Mangatepopo Valley. Although used by skiers, it was still a bit too distant from the best ski fields. Rail opening The construction of the Main Trunk Railway Line was starting to open up the western side of the Park but a road between Tokaanu and Waimarino (the early name for the railway settlement we now know as National Park) was not completed until the end of 1919, and it was not until about this time that a cart track and associated bridges were

4 built up to the area we now know as Whakapapa Village. Skiing was taking off as a sport and recreation. Many of the early skiers came for a week or more for skiing and walking. The old shepherd's hut known as the Haunted Whare on the way to Whakapapa was often used as a base for these excursions, In 1920 Whakapapa Cottage was erected on behalf of the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts. The problem of accommodation and shelter continued further up the hill, skiers had to walk up to the ski fields from Whakapapa Village. It was a long climb carrying all your gear and conditions were often severe. Once again there was pressure for accommodation higher up the mountain. Many present day skiers may have noticed the little hut on Hut Flat just above the chair. This is the first club hut built

by Ruapehu Ski Club in 1923. It was followed by others from various skiing and tramping clubs. Iwikau Village mushroomed in the years to follow. Many of the huts were the result of combined effort and hardlabour hauling materials up onto site. Chafeau opened The huts that were built at Whakapapa Village soon proved inadequate and on 4 November 1929 the Chateau was officially opened, construction having commenced a mere 10 months earlier. The road up above Whakapapa Village was constructed with the help of labour from the prison camp at Waikune, the task

being completed in 1940. A generous donation from the trustees of the estate of R C Bruce, a Rangitikei sheep farmer with an interest in conservation, greatly contributed to the cost of the road, hence the name Bruce Road. On the southern side of the mountain it was a long walk to reach the snow from Ohakune. A notable resident of Ohakune, 'Joe' Blyth, forged a route up through the bush on the south-west side of the mountain which became known as the Blyth Track. Keen to improve access the residents of Ohakune formed the Ohakune Mountain Road Association in 1952. Their combined efforts raised the funds and provided the volunteer labour to build the Ohakune Mountain Road. No lifts Back in the early years there were no tows or chairs so people just walked up the slopes then skied down. As tirrie and technology advanced they

looked for easier ways to pursue the sport they enjoyed and so rope tows and chairs were introduced. The ski field at Whakapapa grew over the years as the sport of skiing increased in popularity and access to the mountain improved. Being the only place in the North Island with permanent snow, it became an important centre for this sport. At peak times queues at Whakapapa grew, skiers sometimes waiting up to an hour for a ride up. To try and ease the problem the then park board called for tenders to build a ski field on the southern side of Mt Ruapehu and in 1978 Turoa Skifield was built. By this stage there was more emphasis on conservation within national parks. The Ohakune Mountain Road was already in place. There was not the need for club lodges or accommodation to be built at Turoa; skiers could be based in

Ohakune and travel to the ski field each day. Capacity Contrary to what had been hoped, the facilities at Turoa only helped to increase the number of skiers visiting the park.

The pressure and queues were not relieved until more double, treble and quad chairs and T-Bars were introduced, producing a 'greater' up-hill capacity, which relieved the t qiieues. Turn

History From page 2 Compared with the early stories, we can now enjoy the mountains in comparative luxury. Not only can we drive to the ski field and visit just for the day we can also benefit from the wonders of technology; quad and treble chairs, snowgrooming, snow-making, a seemingly endless variety of modern fabrics and materials ensuring that we can stay warm and dry in almost all conditions. The ski history display at Whakapapa Visitor Centre shows the changes in fashions and equipment since the beginnings in 1913. Photos give a hint of what conditions were like over the decades. Stories are also told in the new Tongariro Audio Visual.