Opportunity for skiers

Press, 7 July 1977, Page 27

Opportunity for skiers

By BEN HOPE It is only a short drive up the Wairau Valley to Lake Rotoiti, in the Nelson Lakes National Park.

The highway is tarsealed. the climb gradual and the route direct and almost straight. Perhaps an-hour-and-a-quarter, but certainly no more than an-hour-and-a-half. Lake Rotoiti in winter is beautiful. The tops are

snow covered and contrast sharply with the dark green of the beech forest. On the right hand side of the lake as you look up to its head is Mount Robert, where, each winter, many skiers find the alpine basins ideally suited to their sport;. Graham Edwards, .of Blenheim, a ski gear retailer and a member of the Nelson ski club, has a high regard for the Mount

Robert, ski field. “It’s a large field with a tremendous scope for skiers. The variety of terrain gives slopes to suit the beginner or expert,” Mr Edwards said. The ski field facilities at Mount Robert are operated by the Nelson Ski Club. For anyone contemplating taking up ski-ing seriously, membership of the Nelson Ski Club should be considered, as sleeping

facilities are at a premium. Day trips to the Mount Robert skifield are easily done from Blenheim. There is ski-ing available to all, hire facilities are on the mountain, as are hut facilities for lunch and shelter.

A roster system by the Ski Club operates a safety ski patrol with a doctor always in attendance, in case of a broken limb or other serious accident.