SKI SCENE

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 12, 23 August 1983, Page 6

SKI SCENE

• Following a recent fatality on the Whakapapa Skifield when a skier slid to his death on ice, Mr Bruce Jefferies, chief ranger for Tongariro National Park, was interviewed on T.V. about the dangers of skiing on Whakapapa. The subsequent television and newspaper media coverage had adversely affected bookings on the Turoa side of the mountain, said Terry Drayton, saies manager for the Turoa Skifield. Quite a number of bookings have been cancelled as a result, but this is not necessarily because the statement was incorrect as far as Whakapapa was concerned, explained Mr Drayton ... it was only that the subsequent media reports had failed to make it clear that Mr Jefferies wdk referring to the Whakapapa, and not the Turoa, side of the mountain. This combining of the two skifields under the single 'Mt Ruapehu ' title by the media was a recurring problem, said Terry Drayton, leading to confusing and sometimes completely misleading informa-

tion. Whakapapa and Turoa Skifields, on opposite sides of the mountain are different with widely varied weather and snow conditions, even on the same day, and therefore shouldn't be 'lumped together under the same report' he said. • The new Pomagalski T-bar on the Turoa Skifield, known as 'the Jumbo', is expected to be operational this week but, until there is more snow, it will Only tow skiers from a mid way station. Access to this mid station will be by way of the adjacent 'High Noon' T-Bar — skiers using the latter will be able to ski across to this new facility. Local engineering contractor, Graham Dixon Ltd of Ohakune, are/carrying out the structural modifications to the mid station tower. • Whakapapa reports that the last snowfall was on Saturday, 13 August. A lot of wind-blown snow fil^^ gullies and valleys tc^H depth of 2-3 metres. At last report only the Valley T-bar was operating for intermediate and advanced skiers. The 1st and 2nd chairlifts were operating for access only.

SKI SCEN E

• Following the successful ceremonial 'snowdance', when about 3" (8cm) of snow fell in Ohakune over the 13-14 August weekend the Turoa "Skifield was 'topped-up', said saies manager, Terry Drayton. But, because the snowfall was accompanied by high winds, a lot of the snow ended up in gullies and valleys leaving a snow cover of about 3cm on the ridges. •This has extended the [able area. There is now good cover from the top of the High Noon T-bar to the mid-station of the Giant chairlift. The beginners rope tow, which last week was relocated at the top of the 2nd chair, has now again been returned to the nursery slope field below the top car park. • 15 Japanese skiers visited Ohakune last week as guests of a Japanese ski school director. He was Mr Hirasawa of the Shiga Ski School who has himself been a regular visitor to Turoa for the past three

years. The visitors were very impressed with their 3-day visit to Ohakune which combined skiing with shopping and sight-seeing. • Midweek patronage has been excellent at Turoa last week following the previous weekend's snowfall. Monday and Tuesday averaged over 1,000 skiers per day " and on Wednesday — 'a perfect day' — about 1,700 skiers used the field. • The NZSTAR fun-racing programme is now operating for recreational skiers who want to measure their progress and improvement against their own personal performances. Due to be held every Sunday it will also operate on fine days whenever the Ski School has no other Ski Academy commitments. • Mr Alan Boyle, marketing director of Coca Cola, sponsors of the NZSTAR programme, was due in Ohakune this week to have a look at Turoa' s facilities. It will be his first visit to this skifield.