SKI SCENE

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 13, 30 August 1983, Page 6

SKI SCENE

Letter to Editor I wish to take this opportunity to comment on comments attributed to Mr Drayton of A.H.I. (Turoa Skifields) in last week's edition of the Bulletin . There are several aspects that Mr Drayton appears to have overlooked in terms of his criticism and I wish to take this opportunity of at least presenting my

point of view. Following advice from the Park's Professional Ski Patrol Director at Whakapapa and comment from senior staff based at Whakapapa and Turoa Skifields as to the conditions that prevailed on Mt Ruapehu during the late July and early August period, I considered it reasonable to make the public aware of the dangerous conditions

that prevailed on Mt Ruapehu. These comments were not directly related to the fact that there had been a fatality, (which incidentally was marginally outside of the Concession Licence area of the major Concessionaire at Whakapapa Skifield) but was more directly related to the fact that continual wind, freezing conditions, rocks and limited skiing on Mt Ruapejiu were all contributing to a potentially dangerous situation. I clearly recall the interview on Television New Zealand and during subsequent discussions with the General Manager for A.H.I. Turoa, reiterated that my comments were not specifically related to the Whakapapa Skifield, but were an attempt to make

the public aware of conditions that prevailed on Mt Ruapehu, which includes the Turoa Skifields, at a particular time. It is interesting to note that the varied conditions that prevailed at that time were the direct cause of an accident on the south western slopes of Mt Ruapehu on Sunday 7 August 1983. It could be argued that this accident occurred outside of the A.H.I. Turoa licence area. The facts remain that the skier, who was seriously injured, obtained access to the area where the accident was located via facilities operated by Turoa Skifields and was a customer of that company. cont'd on back page

cont'd from p. 6 The following extracts from the Log kept by ranger staff at Turoa relates to the snow conditions on the days 1-7 August 1983. Monday 1 August — skifield closed: 30-40 knot N.W. winds, . rain and sleet. Tuesday 2 August — skifield closed: rain, overcast + 5°C, 15-20 knot N.W. winds. Wednesday 3 August — skifield closed: 30-40 knot west-N.W. winds, + 2°C. Thursday 4 August — visibility fair, icy conditions, + 1°C. Friday 5 August — visibility poor, 50-77cm hard pack snow. Saturday 6 August — snow hard to icy patches, clear visibility, — 2°C. Sunday 7 August — very icy, clear visibility, + 1°C. These indicate that icy conditions generally prevailed on Mt Ruapehu and that this was the factual information that was being transmitted to the public. It is also noted that Mr Drayton makes the comment that quite a number of bookings have been cancelled as a result of my statement. I would like to see any information that can quantify this statement. It is more likely that the factual snow reports that were being prepared and released to the media had more impact on the number of people visiting the mountain than my comments. It is interesting to note that visitation to the park generally for the 1983 winter season is down on previous years, but in isolation the Turoa Skifield "skier-days" are substantially up on previous years for similar periods. Finally, it perhaps needs to be made clfcar that any effort made by park staff to provide information has the sole aim of providing an unbiased assessment on conditions that prevail at any particular time. Park rangers and staff are linked by radio communications to information centres and up to-the-minute snow reports, weather conditions and road conditions are constantly interchanged between the three skifields that operate in Tongariro National Park. This facility, coupled with a highly experienced staff, allows us to provide the most factually unbiased and .complete snow reporting service on Mt Ruapehu. I trust these comments will assist in balancing the correct situation in regards to some of the statements made in your last issue.

Bruce

Jefferies,

Chief Ranger Tongariro National Park