Mt Ruapehu season to open this weekend

25 June 2013

Mt Ruapehu season to open this weekend

$3m in machinery investments to increase production at Mt Ruapehu

MT RUAPEHU (25 June 2013) – Mt Ruapehu is ready for the 2013 season with both Whakapapa and Turoa Ski Areas on track to open this Saturday (29 June).

Two metres of fresh snow has fallen on the mountain over the last four days. Wind has blown the fresh snow nicely across in to the gullies on the leeward slopes, setting up for superb off-piste skiing and boarding in the coming weeks. Snowmaking is underway 24/7 following last week’s big chill, and it will continue topping up trails until Saturday as ideal conditions are forecast.

This season, Mt Ruapehu has invested more than $3million in new machinery, including five new groomers, road clearing equipment and eight snow guns across both ski areas. It is expected the groomers will increase Mt Ruapehu’s grooming production by 20-25%, with the powerful vehicles able to move larger areas of snow, and handle Mt Ruapehu’s large and unique terrain with more ease.

The new, energy efficient snow guns have improved Mt Ruapehu’s snowmaking abilities to operate in a wider range of conditions and increase production. The new guns also improve the reliability and quality of snow - from topping up hard-packed trails on a cold morning with 20cm to 30cm of fresh powder, to covering trails with up to 100 percent of man-made snow.

Mt Ruapehu General Manager - Operations, Chris Thrupp says the 2013 winter season is shaping up to be one of the best yet.

“The cold blast which has hit the country over the last few days has definitely worked in our favour as we’ve now got a good early season base at both Whakapapa and Turoa Ski Areas. With ideal snowmaking conditions forecast for the next week, the mountain will be looking great for opening this Saturday.”

“Our new groomers will also improve the efficiency and quality of grooming to both ski areas and new additions to the existing fleet of snow guns will mean more snow on the ground throughout the season, making for a greater skiing and boarding experience,” says Mr Thrupp.

For real-time snow progress, live webcams at both Whakapapa and Turoa show up-to-the minute updates. For more information on everything Mt Ruapehu has to offer, visit the brand new Mt Ruapehu website: www.mtruapehu.com.

ENDS

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