14th December 2016
Ruapehu Alpine Lifts set to relaunch Happy Valley in 2017
The past 12 months have been a busy time at Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL). The Whakapapa Licence to operate was renewed in
December 2015, and that kicked off a $100 million investment plan at Mt Ruapehu’s three ski areas. An $11 million
investment plan for this summer means the business has committed $21 million of new capital since the licence renewal
was announced. The proposed $37 million Whakapapa gondola project is just around the corner with consents due to be
lodged early next year, and the Turoa licence renewal process is progressing positively.
Following on from the company’s most successful Life Pass campaign ever in October this year, RAL has big plans to
transform and relaunch Happy Valley as a “snow park” concept, while cementing its place as New Zealand’s premier
beginner ski and snowboard facility. “We’ve listened to our customers who said it was awkward getting to Happy Valley on
the access chairlift, so to kick things off we’re replacing that chairlift with two 26 person high-speed Schindler
elevators to make that transition from the carpark to snow a whole lot easier and faster,” explains Whakapapa GM, Steve
McGill.
RAL is also adding three brand new surface lifts into the Happy Valley Snow Park. Two of these surface lifts will
feature covers to keep guests dry and sheltered while they move in style. The existing “Double Happy” lift will remain
as an ideal transition for those who wish to learn to ride a chairlift before moving higher up the mountain to the
brand-new Rangitira Express Quad on Whakapapa Ski Area. The addition of these new lifts is expected to eliminate queues
and vastly improve guest comfort and safety.
The investment plan includes over $4 million earmarked for new snow making technology at Happy Valley, Whakapapa and
Turoa.
Happy Valley will be the first and only ski area in New Zealand with a Techno Alpin SF210 All-Weather Snowmaking system.
This state-of-the-art technology can make snow in above-zero temperatures guaranteeing that Happy Valley Snow Park will
open in time for Queen’s birthday long weekend on 3 June 2017, a month earlier than usual.
The snow park will feature a dedicated snow play zone with its own covered surface lift well away from the skiing and
boarding public so the little ones are safe while tobogganing and building snowmen. “We’re positioning Happy Valley as
the place for families to come for their first snow experience, whether that’s learning to ski with our snow school, or
ripping down the slope on a sled. The bonus is we can now guarantee great snow conditions and big smiles over a longer
season regardless of the weather,” said General Manager Steve McGill.
Turoa die-hards don’t miss out on the snowmaking with 7 additional snowguns joining the fleet giving General Manager
Chris Thrupp greater confidence heading into 2017; “The additional firepower will de-risk our exposure to the
unseasonably warm weather we experienced this year. We’re confident our core trails will be up and running in record
time next season”.
At Whakapapa snow-lovers can look forward to almost double the snowmaking capacity next winter. This will provide
early-season snow in Tennant’s Valley, Rockgarden and Turtle Run, complementing the new Doppelmayr “Delta Quad”
chairlift which will replace the Waterfall T-Bar in time for the 2017 season. Importantly, the new snowmaking and
chairlift will allow the grooming team at Whakapapa to create a network of “green” trails giving groups of mixed
abilities the opportunity to spend the day together enjoying the upper mountain slopes and Knoll Ridge – New Zealand’s
highest café.
“This is an exciting period in the history of RAL as we embark on the biggest investment programme since our
incorporation in 1953. With $21 million of new capital committed in the past 18 months, our 2017 pass holders have a lot
to look forward to! We have carefully selected a range of investments which appeal to the changing needs of our domestic
and international markets, always thoughtful of our shared role as kaitiaki of this sacred place. A range of operational
excellence initiatives complement the capital works programme, and for 2017 that will mean considerable growth in
employment at all 3 ski areas as we focus on lifting service levels. Investment of this scale is not just significant
for the Ruapehu District, ‘New Zealand Inc.’ also benefits from the re-emergence of dual world heritage listed Tongariro
National Park as a premier international destination”, says RAL CEO Ross Copland.
ENDS.