LIFTS AND HUT LATEST ADDITIONS TO FAST GROWING FACILITIES

Press, 8 July 1976, Page 13

LIFTS AND HUT LATEST ADDITIONS TO FAST GROWING FACILITIES

When the Methven Lions Club made its initial investigation of the Mount Hutt ski field in 1969 it was obvious that the major problem would be access to the field.

An access road of eight miles had to be built up a long ridge. It was a diffi-

cult and formidable task, and a very expensive one. However, the local people were prepared to support the establishment of the field by investing money with little prospect of a return on their investment for at least five years. An investigating committee formed with the Lions’ initiative established a pilot road up the ridge, and in March, 1972, a company with a capital

of $20,000 was formed to start the field, .with the road as its first priority. Later capital had to be raised to $200,000. and with the determination of a local contractor. Dough Hood, now a director of the Mount Hutt Ski and Alpine Tourist Company, and support from local engineers and advisers, the road was pushed through in January, 1973. Willi Huber, a former ski instructor, a director

of the present company, and one of the driving forces behind the establishment of the Mount Hutt ski field, spent the 1972 winter on the mountain recording temperature, snowfall, wind velocity and airflows. All this scientific information when tabulated gave substance to the backers’ conviction that Mount Hutt offered some of the best ski-ing in New Zealand,

For the winter of 1973 a rope tow was installed and a car park built for 200 cars. The season opened in May and for two months Mount Hutt was the only field open in Australia and New Zealand.

In August the heaviest blizzard in memory ensured another couple of months ski-ing and the

numbers of skiers 'who used the field in that initial year was the vote of confidence the company needed to double its capital and embark on a half million dollar development' programme. Two T-bars, with a vertical rise of 1500 feet, giving the longest downhill run in the southern hemisphere. fixed grip learners’ tow, and a platter lift were installed, and a snow grooming machine imported. The car park was enlarged and the road widened to double lane access over the eight miles.

The road has since been officially named the Hood Alpine Highway to commemorate the tremendous amount of work Mr Hood put into this important part of the over-all development.

The new lifts installed for this season cost the company $225,000 which was made available through a Development Finance Corporation loan. Another important improvement has been the extension of the day hut facilities. The day room has been enlarged to seat 100 persons, and the cafe-

teria has also been im proved.

The hire shop has been enlarged and its stock extended by 200 pairs of skis, giving it a hire stock of 600 pairs.

Because of the big increase in fuel prices since the end of last season, the company has been faced with a steep rise in running costs. Consequently adult lift tickets have risen by $1 to $5.50, while the children’s lift ticket prices remain unchanged. The system of road tolls has changed. Instead of people being charged 50 cents per person, a charge of $2 will be made for each car. This is not intended to produce any more revenue says the company, but to reduce the number of cars carrying only one or two persons travelling up the road. It is hoped this will take some of the pressure off parking space at the top.

The Mount Hutt ski school this year will be under the direction of John Armstrong, a former New Zealand representative, and a brother of Robin Armstrong, who represented New Zealand at the winter Olympics in Innsbruck last February.

There will be five instructors on the field for the whole season and a further 15 over the busy August school holiday period.