Heavy Snow Fall Today At Mt Ruapehu

20 September 2002 Media Release

HEAVY SNOW FALL TODAY AT MT RUAPEHU SETS UP SCHOOL HOLIDAY SPRING SKIING

More than 20cms of new snow overnight on Mt Ruapehu and further heavy snow today has set the region up for a bumper spring ski season.

The snowfall has pushed Turoa back up to a 3 metre snowbase and Whakapapa to over 2.5 metres.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts Marketing Manager Mike Smith says it appears winter is certainly not over on the mountain.

"We've been getting very heavy snow over the past 12 hours. This snow base, which is continuing to build, means we can confidently expect to be offering skiing to at least Labour Weekend.

"Falling temperatures should also enable us to begin snowmaking on the lower mountain later today as well."

The timely snowfall and a reasonably fine weather forecast for the weekend and into the first week of the school holidays is setting Mt Ruapehu up for some of its best skiing this season.

International Downhill and Super G Come to Mt Ruapehu The next two weeks see Mt Ruapehu host a number of major events. Turoa Ski Area will host Australasia's only FIS (Federation International de Ski) downhill race this year (and one of only two Downhill races in the Southern Hemisphere) as well as Super G.

It is the first Downhill event on the mountain and an exciting endeavor for both Mt Ruapehu and Ski Racing New Zealand. Considered the glamour event of skiing, Downhill is an impressive sight as athletes reach speeds of up to 130 km per hour over a two kilometre course.

School Holiday Action As well as the daily school holiday action on the mountain, the night ski will be lit-up on Saturday 28 September for the annual Pepsi Fireworks at Whakapapa. The unique and unforgettable Channel Z Snowboard Festival then kicks off on Sunday 29 September.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts is also offering a Spring Season Pass deal on sale from the 29 September. Adult passes are being offered for just $179 and Youths $99.

Ends For further information contact: Mike Smith, Ruapehu Alpine Lifts Mobile: 021 224 2100

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