Ski-ing the southern side of Ruapehu

Press, 27 May 1981, Page 24

Ski-ing the southern side of Ruapehu

To many Ruapehu skiers in the past the south-western side of the 2797 m mountain was a little bit like the dark side of the moon.

With the development of the Turoa ski-fields in 1978 by Alex Harvey Industries all this changed. Those south-western slopes are now attracting thousands of skiers and thc little township of Ohakune (17km away from the field and 317 km from Wellington) has changed its face almost bevond recognition. Ruapehu skiers now have a very real alternative to Whaka’papa, the big field on

the other side of the mountain.

Turoa. because of its southerly aspect, gets less direct sun and collects more snow so that the season is even longer and the snow often in better condition. ' Still, South Islanders making the venture north should be prepared for the possibility of ski-ing more'often than they're used to in marginal conditions, and missing the odd day. The field itself should be a mind-expanding experience for South Island visitors with its tw-o treble-chairs (one more than Coronet), one

platter, two handle lifts, and a T-bar rising to a height of 2320 m, less than 500 m short of the summit.

Turoa's lifts are capable of carrying a total of 5800 persons’ per hour. It has the highest vertical lift in Australasia (720 m compared with, for instance, Mount Hutt's 670 m) and a downhill ski run of about 4km.

The platter lift is an addition this winter and will handle an extra 720 persons per hour. It will be situated in the basin at the top of the first chair and is well suited to beginners and “low-inter-mediate" skiers.

A new rope tow is being installed for beginners at the base of that first chair, complementing the one alreadyexisting on the car park. As well, the half-way platform on the second chair has been lowered to enable more efficient use of the lifts in June and November — the hoped-for months for the start and close of the season.

The huge expanse that is Turoa ski-fields will have improved snow grooming this year with the purchase of a second Kassbohrer. This one will have tilting facilities behind it to break up hard pack and ice while the other

will carry a powder maker

Another innovation is a snow blower machine bought to keep the roads clear. This should put an end to ,the unattractive scrapings of snow on the road side formerly seen by skiers driving through the beech forest. That picturesque trip up the hill will be rather smoother, too, over the 1981 winter because of an extensive resealing programme. The bottom 6km of the road has been completelysealed; a large area of seal has been laid adjacent to the bridge halfway up to make the fitting of chains both easier and cleaner; and a new Ikm stretch has been laid from the loop road at the car park down to the Massev Flat area.

Other moves include the increase in number of hire skis available: the leasing of all three mountain cafeterias to private enterprise making for more variety of menus: a redesign of the trail layout by the ski patrol: the availability every week-end of kindergarten facilities; and the updating of the mountain transport from Ohakune with three new 29-seater fourwheel drive vehicles introduced and a special family fare.

The daily adult lift charge is now up to $l4 (from $l2), but there will be both fiveday and seven-day passes available at.s3s and $55 (no refunds) to encourage skiers to take advantage of the relatively uncrowded midweek opportunities. There are several new appointments to the staff with among the most notable being the mountain manager. Robin Foubister. who led the New Zealand Antarctic expedition to Scott Base in 1968-69. another to Campbell Island in 1966-67 and has had considerable experience in marine engineering and mechanical engineering consultancy. Warren Newland, after three years at R.A.L.. is the new lift manager. He was formerly a supervisor on offshore oil rigs. The 1980 accommodation manager. Terry Drayton, is now the ski-fields' sales manager and the information office has been reorganised.

Several new beds have been built in Ohakune and an

accommodation officer will be appointed to handle the [ large volume of bookings ; expected. An information off- ; icer and a communications i officer will also be servicing skiers during the season.