Ohakune buoyant in bumper week

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 14, 4 September 1984, Page 1

Ohakune buoyant in bumper week

By

Mary

Anne Gill

Ohakune was buoyant last week as the Turoa skifield and retailers in general, experienced a record week.

Tony Wright, manager of AHI Turoa, said last Friday that crowds on the skifield were generally up by 35% per day and that the week commencing Monday 27 August was "the best week we have ever had. "The week before, despite the field being closed for two days, was our third best week ever." Mr Wright attributes the increase in the number of skiers to the good weather and expanded accommodation. He added that increasing awareness of the high quality of Turoa's snow was a contributing factor. Mr Wright has also received several letters from skiers complimenting AHI on the friendliness and helpfulness of their staff. "I am pleased to report that as of today's date (31 August), we have reached our target number of skiers for the month of August," added Mr Wright gleefully. Local supermarket owner, Alan Murdie also reported a record week with Friday night and Saturday morning's takings yet to be taken into account. "Last week we were 20% up on last year's figures; this week it will be that and more," he said. "Obviously the increase numbers of skiers has helped. It's also pay week at the Waiouru Army Camp. "Of course, advertising our specials in the Waimarino

Bulletin would have helped." No figures are yet available for the Whakapapa skifields, but Mr Joe Judge, general manager of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts said that Whakapapa has been well

patronised in the past three weeks. "We still have a very good snow cover," Mr Judge said, "which is an improvement on the situation at the same time last year."