NZsnowboard.com

26th September 2007

- No damage to Whakapapa facilities or snow cover, and good weather forecast -



Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (operator of Mt Ruapehu) is expecting to re-open both the Whakapapa and Turoa ski fields tomorrow, Thursday 27 September.

Mt Ruapehu Marketing Manager, Mike Smith says there was no damage to lift facilities or the snow cover, and RAL has been working closely with authorities since the eruption last evening. The final decision whether to open tomorrow will be made at the normal time of 6am.

?Authorities believe that the seismic activity was a one-off, and providing there is no further activity tonight, we should be fine to open tomorrow. Both the Department of Conservation and GNS are continually monitoring the situation, and we are constant contact with them,? says Mr Smith.

?The weather forecast for this week is hugely promising ? we?ve got exceptional Spring snow conditions at the moment, and it?s the middle of the school holidays.

?As long as there is no more activity, it will be business as usual from tomorrow, and we plan on being open until Sunday 28 October,? says Mr Smith.

ENDS

For more information, please contact:

Mike Smith, Mt Ruapehu marketing manager: 021 224 2100