One Week Left For Early Bird Mt Ruapehu Passes

For immediate release: 24 April 2007

Only One Week Left For Early Bird Mt Ruapehu Passes

-First snow at Mt Ruapehu brings season closer-

Winter is well on the way with the first snow of the season falling on Mt Ruapehu over the last few days.

With the weather cooling, skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts have only one week to pick up an early bird Mt Ruapehu Season Pass, Life Pass, or the brand new Five Season Pass.

Mt Ruapehu’s Season Pass offers unlimited skiing for the entire 2007 season and costs $399 for adults, $339 for students and from $229 for youths (aged 18 and under), during the month of April. Mt Ruapehu is also offering an additional $10 discount on Season Passes to those who purchase online at www.mtruapehu.com.

In addition, Mt Ruapehu’s Life Passes are also on sale during April, and are priced at $3,975 each. RAL is also offering a Life Plus Pass for $5,195 which can be transferred to another person before June 2017. Finance options with 12, 24 or 36 month terms are available.

Mt Ruapehu marketing manager Mike Smith says the new Five Season Pass was developed in response to customer feedback, and is ideal for those that don’t wish to purchase a Life Pass, but are regular visitors to the mountain. One of the key benefits of this new pass is that it is upgradeable to a Life Pass in 2012. Five Season Passes are priced at $1,550 for adults and from $870 for youth.

Mr Smith says sales of the Life, Season and Five Season Passes have been very strong since they were launched at the beginning of April.

“We’ve had a great deal of interest in the Life and Season Passes, as well as our new Five Season Passes so far, which we believe is due to the fantastic 2006 season and the upcoming launch of our new facilities, such as the new high speed, six-seater chairlift at Turoa.

“Early-bird Season Passes offer great value. In 2007, an Adult All-Lifts Day Pass at Mt Ruapehu will cost $80, so purchasers will cover the entire cost after less than five days on the mountain, or just a little over two weekends on the slopes.

“The Five Season Pass offer even greater savings - adults purchasing a Five Season Pass now can enjoy unlimited skiing for just over $300 per season.

“From 1 May Season Passes will return to their regular price of $699 for adults, and both the Life and Five Season Passes won’t be available at all, so I would encourage skiers and snowboarders to get in quick to take advantage of the great savings on offer during April.”

Early-bird Season Passes, Five Season and Life Passes can be purchased until 30 April 2007 online at www.mtruapehu.com, or by phoning 0508 Ruapehu (782 734) from 8am to 5pm, seven days.

The basis on which RAL was set up requires that all profits made by the company are reinvested in Ski Area facilities on Mt Ruapehu. The shareholders do not receive dividends and, therefore, funds raised through the sale of Life and Five Season passes will go directly into funding future developments that will enhance skiing and riding on Mt Ruapehu.

Over the next five years, Mt Ruapehu has ambitious plans for the developments and upgrade of the two ski areas. The current plans include two high speed chairlifts at Whakapapa, a further revamp of our cafeteria services and numerous other projects that will further transform both Ski Areas.

Key price points:

• Life Passes are priced at $3,975 each. RAL is also offering a Life Plus Pass for $5,195 which can be transferred to another person before June 2017. Finance options with 12, 24 or 36 month terms are also available
• Five Season Passes are priced at $1,550 for adults, and from $870 for youth. Five Season Passes are upgradeable to a Life Pass in 2012
• Season passes are priced at: adults $389, students $329, $219 for youths aged 18 and under (these prices include a $10 online discount)
• A 2007 Adult All-Lifts Day Pass at Mt Ruapehu will cost $80
• Early-bird Season Passes, Five Season and Life Passes can be purchased from 1- 30 April 2007 online at www.mtruapehu.com, or by phoning 0508 Ruapehu (782 734) from 8am to 5pm, seven days

ENDS

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