SNOW TIME IS SKI TIME

Dragon, 1 December 1942, Page 6

SNOW TIME IS SKI TIME

Our Camp, on the fringe of the King Country, is at a high altitude, being 2,650 feet above the sea. In winter and spring, snow falls. The men from North welcome the novelty—others like South Island musters curse it. But to one section of the camp personnel, it brings a new zest to life. And these people are the skiers. However, it is to National Park that the snow enthusiasts flocked on week-end leave. Here is the Chateau Tongariro where a warm welcome awaited the Tank men. The Camp officers realise the value of ski-ing to the men and are generous with the numbers of men who wish to practice ski-ingwhich is now militarised in Syria with the Ski Corps. In the Open Champion events held on the slopes of Mt. Ruapehu, three men of the Tank Brigade competed Troopers Earl Morrell, Owen Fletcher and Private Bill Holmes. Trooper Morrell, in a spectacular and daring race, won second place in the Ngauruhoe Cup. The winner was Miss Helen Allanson (Ruapehu Ski Club) who was the first woman to win the event. The snow was in good condition and the thrilling down-hill race from the bottom of the Whakapapa Glacier was watched by a large crowd of soldiers and skiers. The season was a poor one lor snow, and it is testimony to the men's keenness that large numbers made their way up to the Upper ski-ing grounds every weekend. They all improved their technique during the season and there are some very promising skiers in our Brigade today. —CHRISTIANA.