For immediate release
5 September 2012
The slopes of Mt Ruapehu await the world’s best for the Mt Ruapehu Xtreme
Mt Ruapehu’s Whakapapa ski area is looking good for the arrival of top international skiers and snowboarders, here for
one of the world’s most extreme events.
The Mt Ruapheu Xtreme is a three star qualification event for the Freeride World Tour Qualifier that starts on 11
September at the Pinnacles. The Mt Ruapehu Xtreme puts the iconic mountain on the international map with names such as
Fabian Lentsch, B Devine, Hanna Fischer, as well as local talent Neil Williman, Simon Reeves, Abby Lochart and Maria
Kuzma who will compete on some of the gnarliest terrain Whakapapa can offer.
“The mountain couldn’t be shaping up any better for the competitors. Whakapapa’s close to a snow base of two metres, and
with fresh snow blanketing the mountain recently the quality of snow is very high - let’s hope these conditions continue
in to next week,” says Dave Mazey, Mt Ruapehu General Manager.
“Competitors will ride some really challenging terrain, and will be judged over several days to claim stake to bragging
rights. We’re expecting record participation numbers this year, and those of you who want to view the spectacle couldn’t
get a better spot than from the Knoll Ridge Café at Whakapapa,” says Mr Mazey.
The Mt Ruapehu Xtreme event will run on the best three weather days out of the five days available, and will be kicking
off next Tuesday 11th September at the Pinnacles. Mt Ruapehu will also live stream the event via mtruapehu.com for those
unable to make it to the mountain to view the event.
ENDS
About Mt Ruapehu
Operated by Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL), Mt Ruapehu is home to the Whakapapa and Turoa ski areas, as well as New
Zealand’s architectural award winning building, Knoll Ridge Café.
Mt Ruapehu is New Zealand’s largest ski area covering 800 hectares of lift accessed terrain, and is New Zealand’s only
ski-in-ski-out facility, as well as having the longest ski and snowboard season in both Australia and New Zealand.
For further information, visit www.mtruapehu.com or www.facebook.com/mtruapehu
About the The Freeride World Tour
The Freeride World Tour was originally established in 1996, called the Verbier Extreme and was strictly a snowboard
contest. This all changed in 2004 when ten of the world’s top two-planked freeriders were invited to participate. Today
the Freeride World Tour is an annual world ski and snowboard circuit that travels from Russia to America and back to
Switzerland for the final events. The very cream of riders – skiers and snowboarders, men and women – all vie for an invitation to this prestigious event.