Auckland based ski club acquires new clubhouse

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 10, 7 August 1984, Page 11

Auckland based ski club acquires new clubhouse

The 21-year old Auckland based Ngauruhoe Ski Club at Whakapapa acquired a firm foothold on the south side of the mountain when it bought out the former Australian-based Glacier Ski Clubhouse in Turoa village last month. It had previously only had a toe-hold on this side of the mountain when it acquired a house in Burns Street, Ohakune, some years ago. But this new facility in a modern Lockwood construction (built originally for the 130-member Glacier Ski Club from Melbourne in 1981) now provides very comfortable accommodation (with ensuite bedrooms and bunkrooms, spa pool, dining and kitchen facilities and a spacious lounge) for 24 members a night. It doesn't accommodate as many members as their other clubhouse (which sleeps 32) on the other side of the mountain at Iwikau Village, but conditions are very different ... the original Ngauruhoe Ski Club hut was built 21 years ago! Twenty eight of the original 130 Australian Glacier Club members have remained members of the new combined Ngauruhoe Glacier Ski Club and are entitled to use the facilities on either side of the mountain.

The new clubhouse was officially opened last Saturday week by one of its founder members and now patron of the club, Sir John Staveley. A total of about 50-60 guests including many founder members — among them club president Sally Hibblewhite and her husband" Murray — attended the pleasant and relaxed evening function which mcluded the ceremonial unveiling of the plaque by Sir John Staveley. Sir John, in his speech noted that he was more of a climber than a skier but felt that the club catered for both types of membership.