Winterfest fun on the snow at Whakapapa

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 593, 4 July 1995, Page 3 (Supplement)

Winterfest fun on the snow at Whakapapa

The slopes of Mt Ruapehu will be buzzing with excitement early July when Whakapapa gets its Montana Winterfest programme into action. From Saturday I July until Sunday 9 July the ski area joins with Taupo, Turangi and Tokaanu to host the annual winter celebration with a wide range of entertaining and exciting activities for all ages. Whakapapa' s programme kicksoff with a fancy dress and crazy hat day on Saturday I July with prizes for the most radical costumes.

The day is filled with some great activities including the Deutz champagne jazz lunch at Knoll Ridge Chalet featuring the Chicago Jazzmen and the spectacular Streets Icecream Party Night and fireworks display at 6pm at the Top O' the Bruce. Saturday evening's entertainment is topped off with nationally-renowned blues musicians Paul Ubana Jones and Hammond Gamble playing in Lorenz's Bar and Cafe. Each day throughout the week there will be face

painting and clowns in Happy Valley and the Creche for the children as well as a range of events including kids sumo wrestling, lolly scrambles, a snow groomer demonstration, a special mid-win-ter visit from Santa Claus and Christmas Carol singing. The Prawn Park in Taupo in conjunction with Lion Ice beer will host Prawns on Piste on Sunday 2 July and Wednesday 5 July and there will also be ski demo days during the week.

The final weekend, 8&9 July will see snow golf, a Cadbury Moro Bar lolly scramble, the Lindauer Champagne Celebration and the Montana Apres Ski Party featuring Ronnie Taylor and the Midge Marsden Band in Lorenz's Bar and Cafe on Saturday evening. "The Montana Winterfest week will be action packed on the Magic Mountain adding to the great range of events being held in Taupo, Turangi and Tokaanu," says Scott Lee, marketing manager.