Ruapehu Alpine Lifts gets a new licence

RAL contributes $15 million annually to local GDP from its mountain operations as well as substantially boosting the off-mountain economy. Photo / Mt Ruapehu Webcam

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL) said it had been granted Department of Conservation approval to continue operating the Whakapapa Ski field on Mt Ruapehu for an initial term of 30 years and with six five year extensions, which will allow the company to replace Centennial and Rockgarden double chairlifts with a new quad Express Chairlift.

The quad run on the same line as the Centennial double chairlift. Work on the lift will be completed over the summer and new lift will be ready by next winter.

RAL said the new licence was signed this week by its chairman, Murray Gribben, and the department's deputy director general partnerships, Kay Booth.

It includes all the existing activities, buildings and structures and new plans that have previously been approved for construction. RAL said its application was supported by Ngati Tuwharetoa and the Ruapehu District Council.

"We have also purchased a used fixed grip quad chairlift which will replace the Waterfall T Bar and run on the same line," he said in a statement. This installation is planned for the summer of 2016/17 and RAL plan to have it operational for the 2017 winter. RAL will lodging applications for the necessary consents and approval over the next few months.

"Without the certainty of a licence to operate beyond 2019, the company has been unable to make investment decisions," he said.

With the new licence and the security of tenure we are able to trigger these new investments in much needed upgrades that will meet expectations of skiers and boarders of the 21st Century.

Ruapehu District Mayor, Don Cameron said the new licence removed "a great deal of uncertainty" for the community.

Cameron said RAL contributes $15 million annually to local GDP from its mountain operations as well as substantially boosting the off-mountain economy in regional tourism and recreational activities.

RAL was established in 1953 and has been a constant presence on the mountain since that time.