Looks allwhite but more snow needed

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 539, 7 June 1994, Page 1

Looks allwhite but more snow needed

It may be cold and Ruapehu's slopes white, but skiing looks to be a few weeks away yet. Whakapapa Ski Area was open for sightseeing only over Queen' s Birthday weekend. While the snow cover was looking good two weeks ago warm weather with rain at lower elevations washed away early natural snow falls. The same weather conditions meant the snowmaking system in Happy Valley'could not operate. "Historically in May we would have expected 100 available snowmaking hours when the temperature is below 0°C but this May we have only experienced 33 hours," said marketing manager Scott Lee. On the upper mountain a good build up of snow above the Waterfalls is looking more promising. Although there is insufficient snow for skiing there is sufficient snow to allow groomers to work the upper mountain pushing snow on T-Bar lines and creating a base for ski trails. It is the earliest date Whakapapa staff can remember this amount of snow on the upper field. Things look good for an early opening to the upper mountain, said staff. For Queens Birthday weekend sightseers were restricted to the area immediately around the lift terminals where groomers have been able to break up the ice. Whakapapa' s beginner facilities are ready to go and will operate as soon as snow conditions allow, said Mr Lee. While it was possible last week to 'pick a way' down the T-bars and Giant Chairlift at Turoa, more snow was needed yet. Gullies were filling up slowly and a good base was forming but ridges, while they looked covered, needed more snow to be skiable. Groomers had been working to move snow around to form a base and snow fences where up catching snow. A little snow fell Friday night and another good storm could do it, said a Turoa spokesperson. Once the skifield was ready operationally, there was generally only three day's notice before Turoa opened, said marketing manager Joanna Savage. They were predicting to be open mid to late June. Meanwhile work on the new chairlift is progressing well. The chairs have arrived, the cable was due to be wound out this week weather permitting and- the lift's electrical workings where nearly complete. The lift should be operational in time for the start of the ski season, said the spokesperson.