Race is on to open for skiing

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 15, Issue 693, 1 July 1997, Page 9

Race is on to open for skiing

Turoa and Whakapapa are this week both vying to be first to open for skiing for 1997. Turoa plans to open its Alpine Meadow tows today while Whakapapa plans to open their Happy Valley beginner skiing area tomorrow (Wednesday 2 July). Cold temperatures Wednesday and Thursday nights last week ensured Whakapapa's snow making team could pump out the white stuff throughout the nights, adding 30cm to the base of natural snow that was established the week before. Meanwhile, Turoa was also able to make snow to add to the -5cm that fell on Thursday night. Both sides are waiting for more snow to open their upper slopes to intermediate and advanced skiers. "The last couple of storms have delivered 15-20cm of new snow, particularly to the upper parts of the ski area," said customer services manager Hamish McPherson. "We are hopeful that one more good storm will allow Turoa to open the upper chairlifts for skiing and snowboarding." He said a good base is forming on the upper slopes, and a snowfall on Tuesday left 10- 15cm additional snow over the mountain. This latest fall allowed the snow groomers to get up the mountain, and commence pushing snow to start forming trails. With most of the snow to date coming

from the south or the east, the usual pockets of snow utilised for trail forming have not filled, he added. Whakapapa's marketing manager Scott Lee said there hadn't been a large quantity of natural snow so far this year. "The fact that we can open Happy Valley is totally due to our snow making efforts. It's rewarding to see the investment made in snow making pay off." Snowmaking in the Happy Valley beginners area had earlier been frustrated by mild weather conditions throughout June. The Centennial and Waterfall Express Chairlifts will operate to give sightseers access to the upper mountain. "The weather experts tell us the season may be a little late starting but once the E1 Nino weather pattern does its stuff it'll be a good one with plenty of snow," added Scott Lee.