RAL

“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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts owes $44.3m, according to a report from the voluntary administrators.

Central North Island iwi Ngāti Rangi says it should have been consulted on Ruapehu Alpine Lifts’ move to voluntary administration.

The operator has been plagued by infighting and a legacy structure that hampered it when action was needed most.

Covid disruption and a particularly poor season this year places the operator under significant cashflow pressure.

There’s clear weather ahead following snow on its ski fields but the future of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts appears as murky as ever.

Operating on an active volcano has presented both challenges and opportunities for the company.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts says it will consider unbundling assets after two Covid-impacted seasons hit income.

A plan to restructure meets resistance from life pass holders worried they will lose privileges.

The coroner’s report into the 2018 crash that killed 11-year-old Hannah Francis may prompt stricter safety standards.

Ski fields on Mt Ruapehu are gearing up for re-opening at level 2, says Ruapehu Alpine Lifts chief executive Jono Deans.

Snow on Monday night for Mt Ruapehu’s two ski fields has set the mountain up for the rest of the winter season, says Ruapehu Alpine Lifts.

RAL aims to open lower mountain chairlifts next.