Mt Ruapehu gearing up for ski season

PRESS RELEASE

Time to think snow, ski & fun!

MT RUAPEHU 4 April 2017: With winter on the doorstep it's time to think snow, ski & fun!

Mt Ruapehu's earlybird Season Pass is now on sale until the end of the month so you can ski to your heart's content on the slopes of Whakapapa and Turoa - two of New Zealand's largest ski areas.

A big 2017 season highlight is the re-launch of Night Skiing on the slopes of Happy Valley and Whakapapa lower mountain until 9pm on Friday and Saturday nights. Live entertainment, pizza and drink specials along with fire pits for toasting marshmallows will bring first class Après Ski to Whakapapa in 2017.

And with even more guaranteed snow than ever on the mountain you can ski for even longer. Beginning this season there is double the snowmaking on Whakapapa lower mountain, all weather snowmaking on Happy Valley and more snowmaking at Turoa.

This is all thanks to a $4 million investment in new snow making technology at Happy Valley, Whakapapa and Turoa, which will see the ski season open earlier than ever before on 3 June, Queens Birthday long weekend.

Work is also underway at the mountain transforming the iconic Happy Valley ski area into a new 'Snow Park' concept complete with ‘carpet' style surface lifts and new access elevators.

Skifield operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts' (RAL) $11 million dollar summer project will see the addition of 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.

RAL CEO Ross Copland says, "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 snow park will also 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."

The earlybird Season Passes also offer some exciting new optional upgrades including night skiing, early morning skiing and a combination pass. There is also a new shuttle service from Ohakune to Turoa and Whakapapa, as well as a bus service from Taupo and Turangi to Whakapapa.

The Season Pass caters for all ages with 0 - 4 years and 70 plus free; 19 - 69 years $515, 5 - 18 years $309 and 5 - 10 years $59.

Check out mtruapehu.com for more details and to purchase a pass.

ENDS

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