'94 snow season set to re-write the record books

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 548, 9 August 1994, Page 3 (Supplement)

'94 snow season set to re-write the record books

Whakapapa Ski Area is enjoying its best snow conditions at this time of year for 10 years. Bad weather throughout July has frustrated skiers and ski area management alike, but the result at Whakapapa has been evident in the snow pack. At the time the Ruapehu Snow Bulletin went to print the snow depth as measured at the Knoll Ridge was overthreemetres,morethan a metre deeper than at the same date in 1992, the previous best snow year on record. And it was still snowing! Turoa is also experiencing what looks to be a season to re-write the record books. As at Wednesday 10 August the snow stake was measuring 2.55 metres after a 20cm dump overnight, with metre-deep drifts (on top of the base).

Whakapapa now has all its facilities operating and there is excellent skiing o ver the entire mountain. There are groomed trails to the Top 'O the Bruce area and even down to the lower carparks. The one lament of mountain staff is the absence of a run of fine weather, enough to enjoy the superb skiing. Whakapapa Marketing Manager, Scott Lee, said they are excited about the prospect of another record season and are confident the season will stretch well into November again. Turoa has had all its lifts barring the Moro Race T Bar operating (it's buried somewhere out west!). Weekend report Some 10,000 people visited Whakapapa Ski Area 6-7 August to take advantage of unsurpassed skiing

on a base of 2.83 metres at the time. Whakapapa Ski Area was host to eight Canadian ski industry representatives, guests of honour at the Canada Day held on the 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 hosted the three-day New Zealand

Disabled Ski Championships starting Tuesday 9 August. Turoa's season It was all go at Turoa Ski Resort 6-7 August 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 members Rob Jewell, Todd Velvin and Mark Sedon (aka 'The Hopefuls') took out first place with a time of 1 8 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 Iwon't make the course so hard." First place-getters received Rossingol 3SK skis, Turoa 8-day Anytime Passes, Swatch watches, Snow Centre fleeces plus four dozen DB Export Dry cans apiece. Sunday' s Mumm Champagne Ski Demo by members of the Turoa Ski School was well received by skiers. Two local guns took first place in Sunday' s Bacardi

'Race a Mate' event, with Duane Dixon taking the fastest male title (22:41), and Colleen Caldwell the fastest female racer (26:91). Both won a prize package worth $200, consisting of Bacardi, T-shirt, bag, cap

and Dirty Dog Sunglasses. At the time of going to print Turoa was getting ready to support Red Nose Day. Skiers who purchased a red nose from the Turoa Ski Shop then wore it while purchasing their ski passes

received a discount off the retail price. On the weekend 13-14 August the Serengetti Sunglasses Day was planned for the Top of the Giant, and the Jose Cuervo Boarder-X race.