Immediate release

Mt Ruapehu is hoping to open Turoa's Alpine Meadow this weekend. Snow is in the weekend forecast, so operators are confident they will receive the 5cm of snow they need to open the ski field tomorrow, either naturally or from snowmaking.

Whakapapa Ski Area's opening has been delayed for skiing and snowboarding, but the Knoll Ridge Café and retail complex, and both the Centennial Chair and Waterfall Express Chairlift will be open for sightseeing, weather dependant.

Mt Ruapehu marketing manager, Mike Smith says RAL is reasonably confident that Turoa's Alpine Meadow will open this weekend. 

"There is snow in the forecast for this weekend, and we're currently enjoying great snowmaking conditions on the mountain, so we are hoping for those few extra centimetres of natural snow at Turoa we need to open Alpine Meadow," says Mr Smith

"Both snowmaking systems on Whakapapa and Turoa have been working at full capacity for the last couple of days, so we've got our fingers crossed."

Turoa's new Alpine Chalet will be open for business from tomorrow. Upper Mountain facilities will open as more natural snow falls, and snowmaking continues.

Mt Ruapehu will be reassessing the situation at Whakapapa on Monday, but is confident Happy Valley will open by Wednesday. Large scale snowmaking continues at Whakapapa.

ENDS

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