Ski businesses get lift from good year

By ELEANOR BLACK

Skiers took advantage of near-perfect conditions at Mt Ruapehu this weekend, turning up in their thousands and capping off the best season in five years.

Today marks the season's end at Turoa, which pulled in about 120,000 visitors this year, but North Island ski bunnies can take advantage of a 1m base at Whakapapa for another week.

Whakapapa attracted 200,000 skiers and snowboarders this season, up from 150,000 last year and only 40,000 the year before when poor snow shortened the season to six weeks.

Neighbouring resort Turoa has also enjoyed a resurgence this year, attracting 120,000 visitors, compared with 110,000 last year and 30,000 in 1998.

Ruapehu and Ohakune businesses are celebrating the conclusion of a season which - while not making them a lot of money - has brought them out of the doldrums and looking forward to turning a profit next year.

Mt Ruapehu's volcanic activity in 1995 and 1996 caused disruption that some ski-dependent businesses did not survive.



Although numbers were up, the figures were still well short of excellent. The business community is now waiting on a Commerce Commission decision, expected early next month, on a proposed merger of Turoa and Whakapapa.

In the South Island, Mt Hutt closes on Sunday after a patchy season. The mountain has a 1.3m base and all runs are open.

The Remarkables close today and Cardrona, Coronet Peak, Treble Cone and Mt Dobson have already closed for the season.

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