‘Epic’ opening weekend at skifield
The risk of an avalanche on Mt Taranaki was downgraded in time to give countless snow lovers the chance to enjoy the white stuff on Mt Taranaki at the weekend.
The Stratford Mountain Club warned at 8am on Saturday of a high avalanche risk at the Manganui Gorge, but further assessment three hours later dropped the risk to ‘‘considerable’’, which meant the skifield could start operating.
Manganui Ski Area spokesman Rob Needs said while club members worked hard to get the field open, it was also a serendipitous turn of events.
‘‘It had rained yesterday and last night, which put an icy glaze on top of the snow,’’ he said.
‘‘So we needed the sun to come out and soften it. Just as the avalanche assessor came back, the sun had come out and everything just lined up.’’
Contractors cleared the road up to the plateau on Friday, opening the entryway for Saturday.
But the area had to be dug out for visitors and clearance from an avalanche risk assessment needed before the lifts could start.
Needs explained there are five levels of risk: extreme, high, considerable, moderate and low.
The ski area is unable to operate if the risk is extreme or high under its safety plan.
Needs said the field opened about 12.30pm, just in time for school holidays and a sunny Saturday. He said it took a lot of team effort and he was proud of those who came together to make it happen.
As the first up the mountain Saturday morning, Needs concluded the roads were plenty safe. And once the T-bar and learner’s tow started up the mountain was packed, Needs added.
‘‘It was really, really amazingly busy. I can’t even count how many people were there,’’ he said.
‘‘There were skiers and snowboarders, and a monstrous number of people with toboggans just wanting to play in the snow.’’
Stratford District Council deputy mayor Alan Jamieson, who operates the Taranaki Ski Hire shop in Stratford, said business was ‘‘comparable’’ to previous first-day openings. ‘‘I heard it was the most unbelievable day up there,’’ he said on Saturday.
Needs said Sunday had been just as impressive on the mountain.
‘‘It’s been an absolutely epic day. There’s a massive number of smiles and happy people up here.’’
Needs said club members couldn’t be happier with the conditions and the fact it coincided with a weekend and school holidays.
‘‘It’s been perfect. Everybody’s happy.’’