PRESS RELEASE

Snow dump on Taupō’s lakefront celebrates start of winter
Mt Ruapehu's Happy Valley goes on tour

MT RUAPEHU 17 May 2017: Mt Ruapehu’s Happy Valley is going on tour, bringing snow and fun to Taupō’s lakefront on Saturday 27th May.

Reminiscent of a day on Mt Ruapehu ski fields the event will offer an authentic winter snow experience, with a snow-covered tobogganing area and a big snow dig for kids. Mt Ruapehu’s mountain staff will be amongst the snow to answer questions about the exciting new developments at Mt Ruapehu for the upcoming winter season & beyond.

'Happy Valley on Tour' is being held the weekend prior to Happy Valley opening on Saturday 3 June to build excitement and anticipation around the ski season ahead. Happy Valley will be the first ski area in Australasia to open, debuting its exciting new snow factory to the first guests of the season. The state-of-the-art snowmaking system is already in full swing and can make snow in temperatures up to 25 degrees Celsius, making the ski season even longer.

The exciting transformation at Happy Valley is nearly complete with three new carpet lifts - two will be covered by see-through gallery tunnels - and all new access elevators, which will replace the old Happy Valley access chairlift. These are expected to be up and running in July.

Ross Copland, CEO of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL), which operates the ski field says, “We’re really excited to give Taupō locals and visitors their first touch of snow from the snow factory, and to mark the start of winter with this event.

“The Happy Valley on Tour event, the opening of our new ”SnowHQ” info, rental and ticketing office located in central Taupō, and our new daily bus service from Taupō to the mountain will all help cement Taupō as a full-service winter resort town."

Ross says that RAL has invested heavily in Taupō this year as a result of the strong leadership and action from Taupō District Council, Destination Great Lake Taupō and Towncentre Taupō who are actively working to promote the destination as a winter ski resort and ensure the town is ready to deliver an outstanding experience for guests this winter.

Prizes are up for grabs at the event in the kids’ big snow dig, including Happy Valley passes. Destination Great Lake Taupō and RAL are encouraging families, snow sports enthusiasts and those who have never touched snow before to join them and embrace the fun that winter brings to the region.

The event will run from 11am – 3pm on Saturday 27th May on the Colonel Roberts Reserve on Taupō’s lakefront. More FM will be broadcasting live from the event throughout the day.

Visit mtruapehu.com for more information on opening dates & new developments for winter 2017.

ENDS

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