Ash closes Turoa

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 652, 3 September 1996, Page 1

Ash closes Turoa

While the ash fall on Turoa on Sunday night is not good news for the ski fields, the news is not all bad. Turoa management anticipate reopening "in the very near future", according to general manager Angus Grimwade, probably "within a couple of weeks". The ash dusting left a thin one millimetre layer on the slopes. "Turoa is hopeful that the current storm cycle will bring the 15-20cm of snow to cover the ash layer," said mountain manager Grant McMaster. "Turoa is continually assessing the situation and as soon as the ash has consoli-

dated within the snow pack, Turoa will do what it can to move snow to open trails," he said. Mr Grimwade said it was disappointing to have to close, after an excellent weekend when over 6000 people "enjoyed the pristine snow conditions" on the weekend. He said all 190 staff are being retained in anticipation of reopening. "While the small ash emission has again briefly interrupted Turoa' s winter season, Whakapapa Ski Area has not been affected at present and has a very good skiing from top to bottom," he said. Whakapapa also had a "superb" weekend, with a total of about 7500 skier-days.