Alternative ski school not after a 'free ride'

Waimarino Bulletin, Issue 7, 2 September 1988, Page 10

Alternative ski school not after a 'free ride'

I wish to reply to the Department of Conservation's letter regarding ski instruction on Whakapapa skifield. I believe Mr Green missed the point in his letter, Ruapehu '88, August 12. He gave the impression that the Top Hat Ski School wished to have a free ride and not contribute to skifield expenses such as car parks ski patrol, litter etc. Never, at any stage, has the Top Hat Ski School avoided paying a fair and equitable levy for running a business in the park, indeed the

whole reason for applying for a park concession was t o comply with park regulations. I still remain willing to pay, and, as such, a skifield levy is not the issue. I believe the issue is this: The public, when pursuing their chosen recreation in their National Park, should have the right t o choose who teaches them to ski and at what price.

Competition is the issue here. The present ski school charges $26 for a one and a half hour lesson. A cost that a lot of people especially families simply cannot afford to pay. When asked to justify that charge a number of excuses are put forward. I believe the only real way to justify any price is to stack it up against some effective competition. As they say, it keeps

everyone honest. Ensuring quality instruction at a reasonable price should be a primary goal of the Department of Conservation, to ensure the public the fullest enjoyment and safety in the Park. Cheaper lessons will mean more people learning to ski correctly which, in turn, will mean a safer skifield, less accidents and less wastage of ski patrol time and money in dealing with those accidents. Mr Green states that the present ski school is competitive. If that is so how can the Top Hat Ski School afford to charge $10 for a one hour lesson? Less overheads and a more efficient operation, now that is competitive! Yes Mr Green, issue the Top Hat Ski School with licence for a five year trial period, if you are dissatisfied with the results you may then terminate the licence at the end of that period. If it proves to be a good service then everyone will be smiling. Rest assured that you will receive your levy, whether through THC, RAL or Top Hat Ski School it is the public who pay it in the long run. Should they not have the right to choose

through whom they pay? I invite any members of the public who would like to have the choice between $10 and $26 ski lessons to contact the Department of Conservation (Mt Ruapehu 729) and ask them why they can't. Sam Clarkson The Top Hat Ski School Rail embarrassment The state of the ' Ohakune railway station is a disgrace to the town and to New Zealand Railways. As a resident of the town I was ashamed when I had to meet an overseas visitor who had travelled down from Auckland on the Silver Fern. I couldn't believe that the station buildings and platform could have deteriorated s o quickly since New Zealand Railways abandoned the station a year or so ago under its cynical, so-called "Save Rail" campaign. The platform surface is broken, u n e v e n , weed-strewn and dangerous particularly for passengers who have to alight in the dark from the Northerner train at night. Fortunately however these passengers are spared the sight of the station because the platform lights are no longer triggered automatically

as the train approaches. The station buildings are broken down, abandoned and filthy. They present the sorry spectacle usually associated with a ghost town instead of a lively and welcoming tourist facility. What sort of impression must this filthy and decrepit gateway to Ohakune have on visitors and passengers passing through the Waimarino? What is the point of promoting the tourist industry in this area when visitors are confronted by such an unwelcoming sight? I enclose photographs to back up my observations. 'Embarrassed Ohakuneite' PS The only legible signs are written in felt pen. One says: "F . . . skiers" and the other:

"Kill a skier" and, while I was waiting for the Silver Fern to arrive, I saw another person who was also waiting actually weeding the platform! May I through your paper apologise t o anyone who visited the Waimarino Museum on Wednesday, August 24, when, owing to unforeseen circumstances, the Museum was not opened. This is a voluntary service, as is the "Open op request" service which can usually be reached by phoning 54649, 54-247 or 54200. We are sorry for any inconvenience and will endeavour t o maintain our daily 2pm to 4pm schedule until Sunday, September 11.

M. E

. Sommerville

Secretary