1983 ski season behind us... thankfully

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 24, 15 November 1983, Page 5

1983 ski season behind us... thankfully

"It's been one of those seasons" was the frequently heard comment around the Waimarino as, first Turoa and then Whakapapa closed down earlier than expected. But the 1983 ski season on both these skifields could not really be described as "one of those seasons" because nothing quite like it has been experienced for years and years. So many activities and special events planned for the ski season had to be postponed, curtailed or cancelled and many businesses associated with the ski industry suffered as a result of the short and unreliable season. Local retail shops, aceommodation houses and restaurants have all been affected by the poor and uneven snowfalls on Mount Ruapehu this year. |^After what seemed to be a ^^omising start with an early and heavy snowfall over Queen's Birthday Weekend, prospects looked bright for a record ski season. But it never really eventuated. Not even the ritual 'snow dance' which was performed in Ohakune on Friday 12 August resulting in a weekend snowfall which blanketed the entire central plateau area in a thick blanket of snow, managed to save the season. On Turoa this year at no time has it been possible to ski the first chair and, what is even more unusual, there was never sufficient snow to operate the Wintergarden platter lifts. *^Kkiing has mainly been ^Wifined to the two T-bars

and the top half of the second chair though it was possible to pick a route through to the base of the second chair from time to time. It's been much the same story on the Whakapapa side with insufficient snow on the National Downhill for any skiing this winter. On the 'Rock Garden' conditions were described as 'unskiable' for most of the season except after a heavy snowfall. Like Turoa most of the skiing has been done at the higher altitudes on the Knoll Ridge, Waterfall and Valley T-bars. Events such as the Martini Giant Man 5000, the Homestyle Cup and the Whakapapa Festival had to be cancelled after several postponements. Social events planned for the August Scene and at other times had to be curtailed or cancelled because of lack of support. For the first time in years there was ample accommodation available throughout the season. Because of the generally poor snow conditions prevailing for most of the season with more ice than usual combined with a smaller skiable area — which meant that skiers of different abilities had to share the same slopes — it was inevitable that the accident rate was up and the ski patrols were kept busy. If 1983 was "one of those seasons" there will be many people around that don't want another like it.