SKI-ING PROSPECTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 117, 20 May 1932, Page 2

SKI-ING PROSPECTS

SNOW AT NATIONAL PARK. GOOD SEASON ANTICIPATED. An excellent ski-ing season is in prospect at the Tongariro National Park, judging by the amount, of snuw which has fallen during the past few days. A visitor to the Chateau at the weekend said the weather was beautifully fine, but the tops of the mountains had been shrouded in heavy clouds during tho day-time. Tho upper slopes of Ruapehu and Ngauruhoo were covered with snow as the result of heavy falls on Sunday, while even tho top ot Tongariro, especially on the southern side, was lightly coated. There was much more snow on the mountains than at the corresponding period last year. On Sunday several parties from the Chateau ascended Ngauruhoe and Tongariro and visited the Ketetahi thermal crater, which is now unusually activeA car and a motor truck proceeded from the Chateau along tho Taupo Road. Turning off by the prison huts the vehicles were driven for 3* miles over tho tussock plains to within half-a-inile of the Alangatepopo Hut, from whence the ascent of Ngauruhoe was made in three hours. The volcano was very lively. It rumbled loudly and emitted great volumes of steam. At- times dense clouds of black smoke from the crater were visible at the Chateau through breaks in the veil of clouds.