Ski-fields hoping for more snow

Press, 11 August 1989, Page 29

Ski-fields hoping for more snow

With the August school holidays fast approaching several South Island ski-fields are in desperate need of snow. The holidays, traditionally the busiest time for ski areas, are only a week away and at present Coronet Peak, the Cardrona Nordic Ski Area, Craigieburn, Mount Cheeseman, Mount Lyford (near Waiau), Porter Heights, Mount Olympus and Tekapo have all closed until further snow falls. Ohau has been reprieved thanks to a 25cm fall on the top half of the field on Tuesday. It should open this week-end. In Canterbury the only skiing outlets are the Mount Hutt commercial field, Methven Heliski and two club fields, Temple Basin, and Broken River, the latter only for club members. Ski-field reports supplied to the New Zealand Snow Centre yesterday were (all facilities operating unless stated);— Mount Hutt: Base 30cm; last fall 30cm July 19-20; variable snow, main runs groomed; chains carried. The Remarkables: Base 30cm upper, 25cm lower slopes; variable spring snow,

limited ski-ing; chains carried. Mount Dobson: Variable snow conditions; chains carried. Treble Cone: Ski-ing Saddle Basin, T2 and learners area only; ski-ing upper mountain only for skiers intermediate level and above; chairlift available for downloading; chains carried. Cardrona: Base 30cm; skiing on main trails, bare patches on lower slopes. Harris Mountains Heliski: Base half a metre; frost dried powder; operating subject to weather., : Temple Basin: Base 70cm; downhill tow operating. Tasman Glacier and Methven Heliski: Fresh powder ski-ing; operating subject to weather. Broken River: Limited skiing, open to club members only; access tow not operating, only main tow, goods lift operating 9.30 a.m. sharp. Ohau: Base 40cm top, 13cm bottom; last fall August 8, 25cm on top half of field; spring snow; show forecast in next 48 hours; chains carried; all facilities ready to operate for week-end subject to moderate snowfall down to base level (1500 metres).