Opening Day at Whakapapa 27/6/09

This week the snow making lake almost emptied - 72 million litres of water pumped thru the snow guns to make piles of nice soft snow. One main trail of the Rock Garden open, Happy Valley open, and the Waterfall Express chair running for sight seeing only.

Turoa was very busy cos of Mardis Gras, and despite only one main trail open at Whakapapa, it seemed like a ghost town! I am glad I followed my own tip and went here instead! Stormy weather due to come in didn't hit till Sunday, so we enjoyed blue skies (odd grey cloud), no wind, and best of all no ice! Great job grooming up for opening weekend. More snow this week, and more snowmaking will help establish the trails and open things up in time for the first weekend of the school holidays.

Rock Garden - groomed action

Hut Flat traverse from Centennial Chair to the Top of the RG trail

aerial view from Waterfall Express Chair - "Easy Way Down" trail to the left and a view of Hut Flat at top. Snowmaking guns can be seen, and great job pushing the snow to make trails.

checking out the new temporary cafe and the repairs to the chairlift return after the Feb 13th arson at Knoll Ridge

The Pinnicles