Busiest Whakapapa day

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 549, 16 August 1994, Page 10

Busiest Whakapapa day

Whakapapa Ski Area enjoyed its busiest day for the season on Saturday, with around 6500 people. Fine conditions were enjoyed by all until the cloud cover moved in midafternoon and ruined what had been a spectacular day's skiing. Sunday was less thrilling however, with cold north-westerlies closing the upper half of the field and attracting around 500 people to the lower slopes. Staff celebrated Teaching the 3m snow base mark on Saturday, with giveaways to the first couple of hundred skiers using the Centennial Chair. The field' s Copper Mountain promotion at the Knoll Ridge Chalet was well patronised. Turoa Over $1 100 was raised by Turoa Ski Resort for the Cot Death Association during last Friday's Red Nose Day promotion. Skiers who wore a red nose while purchasing their day passes received generous discounts and contributed to the cause. Skiers enjoyed packed powder with wind-blown pockets Saturday morning but cloud ruined what would have been a spectacular day. Saturday' s Jose Cuervo Boarder X snowboard race attracted 20 entries, although the weather made the event harsh for both entrants and organisers. Winners of the race that took place over a natural terrain course were Whakapapa skier Greg Trouse, and Ohakune's Simon Smuts-Kennedy and Kelly Donnelly. Sunday' s Mumm Champagne Ski School display was postponed due to atrocious conditions that closed the field for the day. The field plays host to Bouncy Boxing on Saturday, and it is also Swiss Day.