Snow declines to come to ski season's opening party

By CATHY ARONSON

The North Island ski season got off to a slow start this weekend, with poor snow cover and uncertain weather.

Ruapehu Ski Area's Turoa and Whakapapa mountains could only open their artificial snow beginners' slopes.

The intermediate and advanced slopes at Whakapapa had a 42cm snow base, failing to reach the 60-80cm needed to open the upper mountain.

Turoa's more forgiving southern terrain would have had enough snow for the giant chairlift and high-flyer chairlift, but windy weather and poor visibility put the slopes out of bounds.

General manager Dave Mazey said that, despite the conditions, about 3000 visitors had hit the slopes at the weekend.

He expected at least 9000 next weekend with the beginning of the school holidays and favourable snowfall predictions.

About 5cm of fresh snow was falling yesterday afternoon.

Mr Mazey said that despite the slow start, better snow cover was being predicted than in previous years.

Cold temperatures and storms in May created more snowfall than normal, and more was on its way.

More than 21,000 season passes had been bought this year, fewer than the 29,000 last year when cheaper prices were introduced, but more than the 3000 in 1999 when prices were four times higher.

Turoa and Whakapapa are now managed by Ruapehu Alpine Lifts, a merger approved by the Commerce Commission last year.

Mr Mazey said that if the snowfall did not increase at Whakapapa, skiers could now go to Turoa without any extra cost.

A season's pass costs $249, for both fields, compared with $199 for each field last year.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts plans to link the fields with a ski trail next year if changes to the Tongariro National Park management plan are approved.