Snow

“We’re looking at a situation where we’re almost exactly the same position we were in last year,” warns RAL liquidator John Fisk.

Skiing and snowboarding have long been privileged activities but it is time to recognise Mt Ruapehu as a place of cultural and geological wonder.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts is marking its 70th platinum anniversary on Friday 1 September with a $70 adult weekday pass.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts has been ordered to pay just over $433,094 for operating buses that were improperly maintained with poorly trained drivers, which led to a fatal crash.

The operator says it has made significant safety improvements following a fatal 2019 accident.

More than 450 athletes from 30 countries will converge on Wānaka and Queenstown for the 2023 Winter Games beginning on Friday.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts is discounting its Long Weekend access pass to encourage more visitors to spend longer at the ski fields.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts is resuming its learning and development programmes held on the mountain following a strong start to the season and a deep snow base.

The Lake Ōhau Lodge and a concession for the Ōhau Snow Fields in Mackenzie Country are now up for sale.

A decent dump of snow will allow Mt Ruapehu’s ski fields to open more of their lifts this weekend.

A small number of operators and regional tourism organisations have been listed as creditors of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts.

Cardrona Alpine Resort has launched a new food venture and named it ‘Carol’s’ in recognition of a long-serving staff member.

Snow conditions at Whakapapa and Tūroa ski fields are contributing to a strong finish to the July school holidays.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts is urging visitors to the Whakapapa and Tūroa ski fields to book online or call into Torpedo7 to pick up their passes this season.

More than 120 commercial vehicles including buses and taxis have been checked for roadworthiness around the southern ski fields over the weekend.

It hasn’t been an ideal opening but the operator is focused on moving season passes in compressed two-week campaign.

Season passes for Whakapapa and Tūroa ski fields on Mt Ruapehu are slated to be available from 1pm today for a two-week period.

Ngāti Tūwharetoa joins Whakapapa Holdings and Pure Tūroa in the race for RAL’s ski assets.

It was high noon at the watershed meeting on Tuesday, with creditors managing to shoot themselves in the foot.

A liquidation process will begin today with a sale of RAL’s ski operations still possible.

Creditors meet today for a vital vote on the future of RAL’s ski operations.

The Ski Areas Association New Zealand [SAANZ] has expressed its support for a solution that ensures both Whakapapa and Tūroa ski areas can operate this season and beyond.

NZSki’s Coronet Peak opens its slopes today, marking the start of Queenstown’s ski season.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts’ voluntary administrators have recommended the liquidation of the operator and the sale of its two ski fields to the preferred bidders.

Whakapapa Holdings Limited reveals its plans for the ski field, season passes, and lifetime pass holders.

But the bidding process is criticised for creating “a false sense of urgency” to push a deal through.

Wages have been the biggest expense and their own bill racks up too as a solution is sought.

A bidder for one of Ruapehu’s ski fields plans a capital raise of up to $12m and a USX listing to help fund the operation.

NZSki’s Mt Hutt will host a four-day celebration this August to mark 50 years of ski field operations.

Former RAL boss Dave Mazey is understood to be involved in one of the bids.

The group behind a community effort to take ownership of Ruapehu’s ski fields has unveiled its proposed structure.

The government’s $6m investment in the Winter Games will help drive southern tourism during the ski season and showcase New Zealand to the world.

Iwi Ngāti Rangi wants to work closely with stakeholders on the operation and potential sale of Mt Ruapehu skifield operations.

A community-based group bidding to take over Ruapehu Alpine Lifts’ ski operations has put the call out for support.

The bid hopes to raise funding from RAL life pass holders, ski club members and the local community.

The warming climate and changing weather patterns pose “a great risk” to the viability of ski fields and glacier tourism.

New Zealand’s glaciers continued to display signs of ice loss over the summer, in line with trends seen in previous years which show no signs of abating, according to NIWA.

A new survey aims to gauge whether Ruapehu lifepass holders would be willing to pay $1,000 for a one-time ‘settlement fee’ to reactivate their pass if a new entity or a revived Ruapehu Alpine Lifts is established.

Cardrona and Treble Cone are aiming to cut visitor numbers during peak periods.

A new entity owned by Ruapehu Alpine Lifts life pass members and Sky Waka bondholders was the government’s preferred solution to save skiing at Mt Ruapehu after the operator went into voluntary administration.

But the voluntary administrators say season pass promotion is on hold due to uncertainty over the future of ski at Mt Ruapehu.

Ruapehu Mayor Weston Kirton says the government’s decision to provide an additional $6m to Ruapehu Alpine Lifts’ ski operations is a vital lifeline for the region.

The funding allows more time to find a long-term solution for the ski fields and enables them to open next winter.

Crowdfunding is being touted as the a viable option to save Mt Ruapehu’s skifields from closure.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts life pass holders have launched a petition to encourage the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment to engage more closely with community about the future of the Mt Ruapehu’s ski fields.

The trade creditors collectively comprise the fourth largest group owed money by the beleaguered ski field operator.

The govt and ANZ would write off $28m in debt if a new entity can be created to take over RAL’s operations.

Mt Hutt, The Rees, Matakauri Lodge, and Azur Luxury Lodge have all picked up awards at the World Ski Awards for 2022.

An emergency loan of $4m has been provided to Ruapehu Alpine Lifts to allow it to prepare for next year’s ski season.

The operator’s troubles underscore the volatility of commercial ski businesses as climate change accelerates.