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Snow


Govt stumps up $7m more for Ruapehu ski as clouds loom over ownership
3 Oct 2023   /

Govt stumps up $7m more for Ruapehu ski as clouds loom over ownership

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


Perspectives: Reimagining Mt Ruapehu as more than a snow sports destination
28 Sep 2023   /

Perspectives: Reimagining Mt Ruapehu as more than a snow sports destination

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


RAL marks “bittersweet” 70th anniversary
28 Aug 2023   /

RAL marks “bittersweet” 70th anniversary

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


RAL to pay $433k reparations for fatal ski bus crash
24 Aug 2023  

RAL to pay $433k reparations for fatal ski bus crash

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.


“It’s our duty to identify hazards, risks” – NZSki’s Anderson on skier death ruling
21 Aug 2023  

“It’s our duty to identify hazards, risks” – NZSki’s Anderson on skier death ruling

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


Winter Games to attract 450 athletes from 30 countries
21 Aug 2023   /

Winter Games to attract 450 athletes from 30 countries

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


RAL discounts ski passes to encourage longer stays
17 Aug 2023   /

RAL discounts ski passes to encourage longer stays

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


RAL restarts learning programmes
14 Aug 2023  

RAL restarts learning programmes

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.


Lake Ōhau Lodge, snow field concession for sale
9 Aug 2023   /

Lake Ōhau Lodge, snow field concession for sale

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


Storm blast gives Mt Ruapehu ski a lift
28 Jul 2023   /

Storm blast gives Mt Ruapehu ski a lift

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


RTOs, operators listed as RAL creditors
26 Jul 2023   /

RTOs, operators listed as RAL creditors

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


Cardrona dedicates new food truck to staff member
19 Jul 2023  

Cardrona dedicates new food truck to staff member

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


Strong school holidays for Ruapehu ski fields
17 Jul 2023   /

Strong school holidays for Ruapehu ski fields

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


Ruapehu visitors urged to book ski passes online
10 Jul 2023   /

Ruapehu visitors urged to book ski passes online

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.


Commercial vehicles at ski fields checked in Operation Hannah
6 Jul 2023   /

Commercial vehicles at ski fields checked in Operation Hannah

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


Selling in uncertainty: RAL fires up marketing in late push of ski season
5 Jul 2023   /

Selling in uncertainty: RAL fires up marketing in late push of ski season

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


Ruapehu ski fields open, season passes available today
3 Jul 2023   /

Ruapehu ski fields open, season passes available today

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


Govt buys time for Ruapehu ski with $5m, iwi bidder comes forward
27 Jun 2023   /

Govt buys time for Ruapehu ski with $5m, iwi bidder comes forward

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


Wednesday Letter: Back where we should have been with RAL – preparing to clear the deck
21 Jun 2023   /

Wednesday Letter: Back where we should have been with RAL – preparing to clear the deck

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


RAL goes into liquidation after creditors reject bids, sale still possible
21 Jun 2023   /

RAL goes into liquidation after creditors reject bids, sale still possible

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


“Govt should be involved” – PM on ownership of Ruapehu ski fields
20 Jun 2023   /

“Govt should be involved” – PM on ownership of Ruapehu ski fields

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


Ski industry keen for Mt Ruapehu solution
19 Jun 2023   /

Ski industry keen for Mt Ruapehu solution

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.


Coronet Peak opens, Remarkables, Cardrona eye weekend
16 Jun 2023   /

Coronet Peak opens, Remarkables, Cardrona eye weekend

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


RAL administrators recommend liquidation, sale to preferred bidders
15 Jun 2023   /

RAL administrators recommend liquidation, sale to preferred bidders

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 to be sold for $1, govt to own 25% – preferred bidder
14 Jun 2023   /

Whakapapa to be sold for $1, govt to own 25% – preferred bidder

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


And then there were two… RAL ski fields to go to separate bidders
13 Jun 2023   /

And then there were two… RAL ski fields to go to separate bidders

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


RAL administrators burn through $6.6m to keep operations alive
7 Jun 2023   /

RAL administrators burn through $6.6m to keep operations alive

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


Tūroa bidder outlines vision for USX-listed ski operation
24 May 2023   /

Tūroa bidder outlines vision for USX-listed ski operation

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.


Mt Hutt preps 50th anniversary celebrations
19 May 2023   /

Mt Hutt preps 50th anniversary celebrations

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


RAL ski fields bidder questions due process after report of preferred buyers
12 May 2023  

RAL ski fields bidder questions due process after report of preferred buyers

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


Ruapehu stakeholders push co-governance structure for new operator
8 May 2023   /

Ruapehu stakeholders push co-governance structure for new operator

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


Boost for winter tourism with $6m investment in Winter Games
8 May 2023  

Boost for winter tourism with $6m investment in Winter Games

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 keen to work with Ruapehu ski field stakeholders on sale
1 May 2023   /

Iwi keen to work with Ruapehu ski field stakeholders on sale

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


RAL bidders put the call out for support
24 Apr 2023   /

RAL bidders put the call out for support

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


Rainy day, capital funds mooted in community-based bid for Ruapehu ski
17 Apr 2023   /

Rainy day, capital funds mooted in community-based bid for Ruapehu ski

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


Queenstown, West Coast tourism vulnerable to climate change – report
12 Apr 2023   /

Queenstown, West Coast tourism vulnerable to climate change – report

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


Glacier melt continues across Southern Alps – NIWA
4 Apr 2023  

Glacier melt continues across Southern Alps – NIWA

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.


$1k settlement fee for RAL lifepass holders canvassed
23 Mar 2023   /

$1k settlement fee for RAL lifepass holders canvassed

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.


RealNZ resorts aim to reduce visitors in first for NZ ski
6 Mar 2023   /

RealNZ resorts aim to reduce visitors in first for NZ ski

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


As season passes are prepped, the govt’s initial plan to save skiing at Mt Ruapehu is revealed
3 Mar 2023   /

As season passes are prepped, the govt’s initial plan to save skiing at Mt Ruapehu is revealed

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.


RAL sets guest, income targets for 2023 winter
8 Feb 2023   /

RAL sets guest, income targets for 2023 winter

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


Ruapehu mayor welcomes ski fields support
8 Dec 2022  

Ruapehu mayor welcomes ski fields support

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.


Govt throws $6m lifeline to RAL ski fields
7 Dec 2022  

Govt throws $6m lifeline to RAL ski fields

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


Community group touts crowdfunding up to $30m to save Mt Ruapehu skifields
6 Dec 2022  

Community group touts crowdfunding up to $30m to save Mt Ruapehu skifields

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


RAL life pass holders launch petition
24 Nov 2022  

RAL life pass holders launch petition

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.


150 trade creditors owed nearly $1m by RAL
22 Nov 2022  

150 trade creditors owed nearly $1m by RAL

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


RAL life pass holders scoped for $2.5k fee plus annual $250 levy
21 Nov 2022  

RAL life pass holders scoped for $2.5k fee plus annual $250 levy

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


NZ ski resorts, hotels recognised in global awards
21 Nov 2022   /

NZ ski resorts, hotels recognised in global awards

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


RAL secures $4m emergency loan from MBIE, ANZ
1 Nov 2022  

RAL secures $4m emergency loan from MBIE, ANZ

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


Perspectives: RAL and the uncertain future of snow sports
27 Oct 2022   /

Perspectives: RAL and the uncertain future of snow sports

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