RAL

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.

Bay of Plenty iwi Ngāti Ranginui said 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.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts is set to open its Happy Valley beginner’s ski facility at Whakapapa on Saturday 5 June with the rest of the field and neighbouring Tūroa opening on 3 July.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts has launched its Apprentice Instructor Programme to recruit Kiwis as international staffing remains difficult.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts says its Whakapapa and Tūroa ski slopes are nearly ready for the season with recent work undertaken on its High Noon Express chairlift and Sky Waka Gondola.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts says it is now working with potential investors, who could end up buying half the business.

The ski field operator is offering up half its business for a strategic investor to help develop opportunities.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts has cut the number of 2021 season passes for its Mt Ruapehu ski fields by 20%.

The second week of the school holidays is looking promising for Mt Ruapehu ski fields, says Ruapehu Alpine Lifts chief executive Jono Dean.

An increase in Sky Waka Gondola sightseeing guests was a saving grace for Ruapehu Alpine Lifts in a difficult ski season.

Ohakune-based iwi Ngāti Rangi is calling on visitors to stay away from Ruapehu after a person who has tested positive for Covid-19 visited Whakapapa and Tūroa ski fields.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts chief executive Jono Dean said the new car park booking system helped ease the traffic congestion.

The new booking system would be free this season and would operate for the busiest 10 of the 17 weekends that the mountain is open in winter.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts have updated its new carpark booking system following an uproar from the public.

More than 2000 people headed up Mt Ruapehu over the long weekend to sightsee and ride the Sky Waka.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts is planning to open its first ski area on Mt Ruapehu in late June or early July, says RAL chief executive Jono Dean.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts operational team members have commenced general maintenance work on Mt Ruapehu in preparation for the winter ski season, says RAL chief executive Jono Dean.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts has closed it Sky Waka operations as part of efforts to reduce travel around New Zealand.

Confidence in Ruapehu tourism is growing after a big year for the region, Ruapehu mayor Don Cameron said following the the third annual Visit Ruapehu Industry Forum last week.

A 250m haul rope has to be ordered from Europe, says RAL.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts says it will need to replace a tower on its High Noon Express chairlift at Tūroa due to damage caused by Monday’s avalanche.

A large avalanche triggered by control work at Tūroa has damaged one of the ski field’s chairlifts.

The operator rejects claims the bus involved in Saturday’s crash had shown decreased odometer readings.

RAL says it has no issue with Mitsubishi Fuso buses in general but had decided to suspend the use of the only other vehicle of that type in its shuttle fleet while it tried to figure out what caused Saturday’s crash.

The possibility of a mechanical failure being behind Saturday’s fatal crash is yet to be ruled out.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts has suspended operations at its Turoa ski field today after a bus crash left one person dead and several others injured. 

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts has had a record-breaking school holiday period with more than 80,000 skiers and snowboarders on the slopes of Whakapapa and Tūroa in the last fortnight.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts has hit back at criticism its $10m loan from the PGF for a high-speed gondola at Whakapapa ski field is “corporate welfare”.

Taupō District Council is buying $1m worth of 10-year bonds in Ruapehu Alpine Lifts’ $25m high-speed gondola project at Whakapapa ski field.