Artificial Ski Slopes Planned In Auckland

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31205, 1 November 1966, Page 13

Artificial Ski Slopes Planned In Auckland

"The Pre»»” Special Service AUCKLAND, Oct 31. The Mount Wellington Borough Council has embarked on an ambitious project to build one of the largest artificial ski slopes in the world on Mount Wellington, a suburb of Auckland. The cost of this project will be about £260,000. This includes the construction of an access road and parking facilities, a look-out kiosk with a 270-degree view, the formation of the ski lane, ski lift and equipment, water sprinklers (to improve ski-ing conditions) and the battering down and grassing of the southern face of the mountain. The hill will be divided into three slopes for seniors, intermediates, and beginners. Learners could ski at the lower end of a 15 degree slope. Intermediate classes could practice on a slope of 17 degrees, and seniors could speed down a slope of 25 degrees. A chair lift with a capacity

of 1000 persons an hour will whisk skiers to the mountain top. The three car parks will be sufficient for 760 can and the kiosk, besides its grand view, will have room for 300 couples. The “snow” slope will be upturned nylon brushes placed in a diamond pattern with about four inches between the brushes. It will cost £40,000 to buy and install. Information on the design, cost and the running of a ski lane has come from all over the world. If all goes well construction of the hill will begin in 1968 and the first ski-ing should be done there a year later. Some 50,000 admissions to the ski lane and 30,000 lessons each year are expected.