Skifield prospects calm town

Business operators in O¯ hakune for whom the snow ski season is a shot in the arm are breathing a ‘‘huge sigh of relief’’ that Mt Ruapehu will be open this winter.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL) on Tuesday announced that it is planning a season that will see both Whakapapa and Tu¯ roa ski fields open every day the weather permits ‘‘with top to bottom skiing and riding’’.

Though the company did qualify that with: ‘‘It is likely that not all lifts will operate.’’

Operational teams would provide detail later via the company’s social media channels.

James Foubister of O¯ hakune’s Taking Care of Business Ski, Board and Bike said he and the business owners had been ‘‘hoping against hope that something would happen, as we all played ball and stayed at home and saved lives.’’

He could understand why a number of South Island skifields had announced restricted seasons or limited opening days.

They were much more reliant on overseas visitors, he said, though there had been a push in recent years to attract more Australians to Ruapehu and he had noted an increase in skiers from French Polynesia.

‘‘The issue will be the queueing system and monitoring people on lifts,’’ said Foubister.

The trend towards neoprene face masks of six or seven years ago (for warmth and sun protection) and the popularity of locally produced merino neck warmers (which can be pulled up over the face) could play a factor in any Covid-19 concerns, he felt.

‘‘We’ve got a whole wall devoted to face coverings. A lot of people already have these things on.’’

Foubister, and other local operators, like Rocky Mountain Chalets manager Ryan Papple, had noticed an almost instant upswing in business activity when the country moved to alert level 2.

Papple said he had inquiries from as early as May 11.

‘‘Following the announcement from Jacinda, I had people calling. Honestly the emails and the phones went from zero to 100.’’

They definitely had skiers booking for the July school holidays, he said.

‘‘We’re just waiting for the snow and the right weather at the right time.’’