Skifield rocks to be groomed

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 48, 19 May 1987, Page 7

Skifield rocks to be groomed

A lot of work is currently underwav at Whakapapa village and the skifield area in conjunction with the forthcoming ski season and Tongariro National Park's centennial celebrations. Whakapapa skifield's newest additions, the Waterfall Chairlift and the Centennial Chair, will be commissioned on 31 May. Work on the installation of both chairlifts was completed recently and the Park's current priority is landscape restoration, which was a condition of the approval given for development of the skifield. Ranger Graeme Ayres said a lot of rock grooming has taken place around development sites with careful consideration being given to the environmental aspect of the work. Mr Ayres said the Park is pioneer.ing a lot of landscape development techniques with the help of machinery and new inventions. One such invention currently being used in America is a spray that makes uplifted rocks in excavated areas look old ahd weathered to suit the surroundings. Rock grooming is Currently taking place along T-Bar lines in an attempt to level the tops of rocks along the tracks where skiers ride the TBars.