AMONGST THE SNOW

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 July 1939, Page 2

AMONGST THE SNOW

MANY THRILLS PROVIDED

SKIING ON MT. HOLDSWORTH.

BIG GATHERING AT POWELL HUTT

Seeing Brian Murphy, New Zealand ski champion and New Zealand representative at the Empire Games in 1937, in action on the slopes of Mount Holdsworth was only one of the thrills obtained by those who visited the ski grounds at the weekend. With conditions excellent for skiing and with an entire absence of rain a thoroughly enjoyable time was spent. Mr H. E. Dang, of Vienna, who has been in New Zealand only two months, was also present, and stated that the slopes of Mount Holdsworth were indeed all that could be desired for skiing. Mr Dang is a professional ski instructor in his homeland and his exhibition of cross-skiing will be remembered for a long time by all who witnessed it. "At home we ski' in our back yards,” Mr Dang stated, “instead of having 21 to 3 hours climb to get to the ski grounds.” A party of thirty-five members of the Varsity Tramping Club (Wellington) arrived early on Saturday morning and with the addition of several private parties the new Powell Hut was taxed to its capacity. Snow had fallen so heavily on Friday night that the doorway itself, though three feet above ground level, was blocked for a final height up to the handle. Seven members of the Wairarapa Tramping Club-left the Masterton Post Office at 5 a.m. on Sunday and journeying by easy stages reached the Powell Hut shortly before 10 a.m., enabling a good three hours skiing and tobagonning before returning home. The Hutt Valley Tramping Club, who erected the lan Powell Hut, are to be congratulated on the erection of a hut which is so handy to such excellent snowfields.