Few big changes at Broken River

Press, 1 June 1989, Page 31

Few big changes at Broken River

Last year was a big one for Broken River Ski Club members and they have thoroughly earned a rest from major projects. In 1988 electric power came to the field, the club ran the annual Canterbury ski sale and the inclinator or goods lift was finally opened.

After all that it was natural that things quietened down a little over the summer months. Work parties still made some worth-while improvements, though, among them the laying of synthetic carpet in Palmer Lodge, the lunch hut. A lot of time was also spent refurbishing Lyndon Lodge, one of the three accommodation huts down below. That included making four smaller bunkrooms and putting in new carpet. The purchase of a new section in Rangiora should be a boon for the Broken River Ski Club. A bare warehouse has . been remodelled into a workshop, giving the club a place close to Christchurch to do all its repairs and maintenance. One of three club fields in the Craigieburn Range, Broken River had been hoping to extend power to

the tows, but that will have to wait until next year. Broken River had what was described as a “surprisingly good” 1988 ski season with perhaps the best snow conditions consistently along the whole Range. Its large, open basin is well placed to catch whatever snow is going. Although the season was quite short, Broken River people skied every week-end day and did not miss too many days during the ski weeks either. David Richards will be the chief custodian of the field, with John Newell and Mark Dickson as his assistants. Newell has already indicated his physical fitness for the job by winning the two-hour Mountain Smoker race last season.

Once again the club is hiring Canadian instructors, this time a pair with level IV and 111 certification, respectively Steven Leggat and Janet Rodger.

Tow fees for non-mem-bers have been kept at $2O (accommodation is another $l6 a night) and the student price concession introduced halfway through last season will again be available, at $l5.