Okahune, New Zealand – Ruapehu Alpine Lifts, operator of Turoa and Whakapapa ski areas on New Zealand’s Mt. Ruapehu, has confirmed it will be opening Turoa’s Alpine Meadow beginners’ area this Saturday, two weeks earlier than planned.
Good snowmaking weather following last weekend’s snowfall has enabled the earliest opening in Turoa’s history. Turoa will open further upper mountain lifts as scheduled on June 20th, including the High Noon Express, when top-to-bottom skiing is expected. Whakapapa is on schedule to open on June 27th.
Mike Smith, Mt. Ruapehu marketing manager, says it’s a rarity for the upper mountain to open this early… Details
With more snow forecast tonight, the 2009 southern ski season is expected to make the perfect start when Coronet Peak opens on Saturday.
Ski area manager Hamish McCrostie said snow-making conditions had been ideal for much of this week, with the early natural snowfall combining to build a base of 80cm at the top of the mountain and 50cm on the trails at the base.
“This is one of our better openings for a long, long time. There’s been great natural snow and good snow-making conditions for the past couple of days.” …Â Details