Great weekend skiing

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 548, 9 August 1994, Page 10

Great weekend skiing

Whakapapa Some 10,000 people visited Whakapapa Ski Area on the weekend to take advantage of unsurpassed skiing on a 2.83 metre base. Whakapapa Ski Area was host to eight Canadian ski industry representatives, guests of honour at the Canada Day held on Sunday. The visitors took part in a friendly ski race against staff. Marketing Manager Scott Lee said the Canadians were "hugely impressed" with the standard of facilities and service, in particular staff training and presentation. "They return to Canada with glowing reports of Whakapapa Ski Area and the New Zealand ski industry in general," he said. There was also a good response from skiers to a Canadian information display on show at the Knoll Ridge Cafeteria. Whakapapa hosts the three-day New Zealand Disabled Ski Championships starting today (Tuesday), weather permitting. Turoa It was all go at Turoa Ski Resort on the weekend, with a variety of fun events staged. Top billing was Turoa' s Dash for the Stash, with a surprise win by a last minute entry. Staff hnembers Rob Jewell, Todd Velvin and Mark Sedon (aka 'The Hopefuls') took out flrst place with a time of 18 minutes 44 seconds, a full minute and 40 seconds ahead of second placed 'Bo Bongo Men' (20:20 sec), with members Chris Emmett, Neil Vallier and Caleb Dempsey. Third place went to 'Stallions', with a time of 21:21. Winner Rob was, coincidentally, the organiser of the event. Defending himself against suggestions that the competition was rigged, Rob said "nextyear I won't make the course so hard." Winners took Rossingol 3SK skis, Turoa 8-day Anytime Passes, Swatch watches, Snow Centre fleeces plus four dozen DB Export Dry cans apiece. Sunday was the Mumm Champagne Ski Demo by Turoa Ski School. Two local guns took first place in Sunday 's Bacardi 'Race a Mate' event, with Duane Dixon taking thefastest male title (22:41), and Colleen Caldwell the fastestfemaleracer (26:91). Both won a prize package worth $200, consisting of Bacardi, T-shirt, bag, cap and Dirty Dog Sunglasses. This week Turoa supports Red Nose Day. Skiers . who purchase a red nose from the Turoa Ski Shop then wear it while purchasing their ski passes receive a discount. This weekend is the Serengetti Sunglasses Day at the Top of the Giant, and the Jose Cuervo Boarder-X race.