SKIING

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 95, 19 October 1937, Page 5

SKIING

PROSPECTS FOR FUTURE

That skiing in New Zealand, in a few years' time, would compare favourably with the sport in any part of the world, was the opinion expressed by Mr. Ernst. Skardarasy, Austrian ski expert and representative of the Austrian Government Tourist Department, in conversation with a "Post" reporter.

Mr. Skardarasy has just returned from the Chateau Tongariro, where he formed a very favourable opinion of the possibilities of Mount Ruapehu as a skiing ground. The beauty of Ruapehu, he said, was that the slopes suitable for the sport were so numerous, that beginners and experienced skiers alike, would find something to suit them. "In fact," he said,, "if one stayed there for a fortnight, a different run could be used each day."

Mr. Skardarasy spoke of the necessity for qualified instructors and said that until the matter was taken up seriously, no definite advance in the sport could be made. Mr. Skardarasy mentioned that Mr. L. J. Schmitt, general manager of the New Zealand Tourist and Publicity Department, had told him that the suggestion that qualified skiing instructors should be brought to New Zealand would receive a favourable hearing. Mr. Skardarasy made passing reference to the Matterhorn and stated that a funicular running well up the mountain was to be opened this month. Thousands climbed to the peak regularly nowadays, he said. Mr. Skardarasy will visit the South Island skiing grounds before departing from New Zealand on October 28.