SIM earmarked for Turoa ski-field

Press, 9 March 1988, Page 46

SIM earmarked for Turoa ski-field

While skiers have been hurtling down the slopes and thrilling spectators with their feats at the Winter Olympics in Calgary, work is underway to upgrade one of this country’s top ski-fields in preparation for holding an international F.I.S. ski racing series this year and possibly a World Cup event in 11990. i A World Cup at Turoa would be a first for New Zealand and would attract several hundred international ski racers and officials as well as commanding international media coverage. New Zealand Ski Fields Limited, owner of Turoa Ski-fields, situated on the south-western slopes of Mount Ruapehu, has earmarked $1 million for new facilities in the 1988 ski season.

A major new addition to Turoa’s lift facilities this year will be a new T-bar installed

high on the western edge of the ski-field. The new lift will be 530 m long and runs adjacent to the Jumbo T-bar but extending further up the mountain and finishing up at a point level with the top of Turoa’s highest lift, the High Noon T-bar, at a height of 2300 mi

The addition of this lift will boost Turoa’s total lift-carrying capacity to more than 10,000 skiers an hour.

The managing director of New Zealand Ski Fields, Tony Wright, said the new lift will play a key role in the international F.I.S. races this year and the World Cup event sought for 1990.

“The installation of this lift will ensure that recreational skiers will not be disadvantaged in any I way from these activities.

“Skiers will be to

enjoy much longer runs down Turoa’s western slopes as a result of the new lift’s installation. It will also provide intermediate and advanced skiers with quicker and more convenient access to the Solitude area just beyond the ski-fields western boundary.”

Turoa’s giant chairlift is undergoing a $250,000 refit to modify the lift’s drive-station enabling a new gearbox and bull wheel to be fitted. The original gearbox which failed during the 1987 season will be replaced.

The addition of a new Kassbohrer snow groomer will enable increased emphasis to be placed on slope and ski trail preparations at Turoa this season. The powerful snow groomer is the biggest in its range and will boost the ski; field’s snow' grooming fleet to four.