SKI EXPERTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23829, 8 June 1939, Page 8

SKI EXPERTS

ARRIVALS FROM OVERSEAS HIMALAYAN SNOWFIELDS BEST IN THE WORLD ‘Special to Daily Times) WELLINGTON. June 7. The finest snowfields in the world for ski-ing and winter sports are in the high Himilayas in Kashmir, claims Mr H. Santner, Austrian instructor to the Ski Club of India, who is at present visiting Wellington The development of these snowfields had been retarded however, since the Maharajah of Kashmir broke his ankle and consequently developed antipathy to the winter sport.

With Mr Franz Skardarasy, brother of the well-known professional Mr Ernst Skardarasy, Mr Santner has come to New Zealand to teach at winter sports gentres during the southern winter, which, of course, is the off season in the! northern hemisphere. He said that ski-ing had been making great progress in India, and had been taken up enthusiastically by the Maharajah, but unfortunately before he attained proficiency that potentate fell heavily lacerated his dignity and broke his ankle.. Since then not only had the Mahafajah given up ski-ing. but he and -the native Government had frowned on the sport as a reckless and dangerous pastime.

; Ski-ing at High Levels The isfiowfields of Kashmir, although remote, were accessible by motor car, Mr Santner said. One could drive right ,up to the nursery slopes, and there was a good modern European hotel, accommodating about 300 people. Not far distant, the snowfields were magnificent, providing excellent skiing under ideal conditions from December to March or April. The snow level came down to about 7000 feet, but the beg’t ski-ing was to be had from 8000 up to 22.000 feet. The views were magnificent. One could see the 26,000-feet Nanga Parbat and other lofty Himalayan peaks glistening with perpetual snow. Meetings were attended by up to 200 competitors, mostly army officers from Peshawar and the stations ,of the north-east frontier. Skiing was consequently profoundly affected by the conditions on the frontier, as in times of trouble few military men were able to obtain leave to attend the sports meetings. The recent unrest had marred the Indian ski season.

Mr Santner said that he came from Spital in Carinthia.. He was not at present sure where he was going to instruct in New Zealand this season, Mount Cook or the Chateau Tongariro. Government Engagement His companion. Mr Skardarasy, is under engagement to the New Zealand Government Tourist Bureau to instruct at the Chateau this winter. He said that he had been ski-ing since he was six and had taught ski-ing for eight years. Although this was his first visit to New Zealand, he had twice been to Australia. 'He thought that the snowfields there were good, but they did riot provide the same long runs, nor werp they at the same high altitudes as those of the Tyrol. His brother. Mr Ernst Skardarasy. is well known in New Zealand, having been stationed at Dominion winter sports resorts during past seasons.