Ruapehu region rave

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 2, Issue 17, 25 September 1984, Page 6

Ruapehu region rave

Keith Richardson Until recently Ohakune was just a place on the map, at least to rae. Then I had the good fortune to be invited to the Ruapehu Region to work on a short term Radio Station — 2XR. I met and made friends with a lot of people. On the other side of the coin I may have upset a few. No one is perfect and I haven't worked in Radio for over 25 years without learning that you can't please everyone. My purpose in life is to entertain, be it on radio, stage, or screen. In turn I have been right royally entertained by the good folk of Raetihi and Ohakune. A friendlier lot of people I've yet to meet. I have a feeling that, because of their friendliness and open honesty, people of the Ruapehu area don't realise that they have within the whole region a potential tourist goldmine all year round. Sure, Turoa is now known worldwide as a first rate ski venue and thanks are due not only to the company that developed the field, but also to the many international skiers who have carried the good word far and wide. The feeling I got was that the region exists, at least at this point, solely for skiing and the needs of skiers. There's much more to it than that. Accommodation seems more than adequate with the many chalets and on-going housing developments in the area. In the main the restaurants and quick serve food places are on a par with any I've seen here and in other countries. So what is there other than skiing? There's horse trekking, white water rafting, fishing, fouf-wheel drive safaris, tennis, golf ... you name it, it's available within driving distance of Ohakune.

It's time to get out and promote the region nationwide. I spent the best part of an afternoon on horseback, and the variety of scenery on that ride amazed me. From views of majestic Ruapehu to small meandering streams, and tussock country dotted with cabbage trees. On that three and a half hour horseback ride I saw enough different scenery to satisfy any tourist or movie producer. Now, I'm not a country guy. I guess you could call me a 'townie' — but I like to commune with nature once in a while. Speaking of town leads me tcr mention shops and shopping. For its size Ohakune has a good variety of shops — indeed while I was in the area a new mall was opened increasing the range quite markedly. I saw no parking problems and no parking meters. Let's face it who needs them? In Wellington where I'm normally based I've been known to use half a tank of gas going round and round the block, searching for a parking space! However I must admit on the few occasions when I did get up the slopes we had to park in the bottom park and trudge the rest of the way up to the first chair. Oh yes, I did go skiing but a Jean Claude Killey I am not! I'd never been on skis in my life until I went to Ohakune, and what a berk I made of myself on at least one day in the snow. Picture a guy sailing down the Turoa slopes in his socks! I kid you not, this clever little man hadn't done his boot clips up properly and after hitting a 'mogul' away went boots, liners, poles, skis and me ... one learns by experience and the exercise was not repeated. I would have liked to spend more time learning the rudiments of skiing — with skis of course, but time precluded that. I sincerely hope that I can return one day and learn to ski properly. That of course means getting fit too. Mind you I do take some exercise.

Every morning it's 'Updown, up-down, up-down' ... and then I open the other eye! Seriously, to enjoy any past-time like skiing or even horse riding it pays to be fit. You can prepare before you Visit the region and keep in shape while there — gyms and workout places are available. I feel that the good Burghers of Ohakune and environs should go all out to promote the region as a year-round holiday/ tourist venue. There's so much to do and I haven't even mentioned jet-boating, thermal hot pools and tramping the many walks in the National Park. Rest assured 111 be spreading the word on my travels. Hear ye, hear ye, hear ye — there's more to Ohakune than just carrots! And that's straight from the horses mouth!