Mountain financial forecast fair alpine business

Sunday, 20 September 2020

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts has announced bank backing that will enable continued operations this summer and next winter.

Noting that climate change and operating on a volcano presented challenges every year, RAL chairman Murray Gribben said: “However, Covid-19 has made things even more difficult.”

The company was fortunate to be able to operate under alert level 1 and 2, “which is something the board, management and staff do not take for granted.”

* Skiing set to resume on Mt Ruapehu

Summer sightseers have doubled on Mount Ruapehu since the construction of the Sky Waka on Whakapapa.

* Ski town's post covid 'sigh of relief'

Bank funding meant that the Sky Waka gondola, a major tourist attraction and income earner would be open during the summer.

But lift company chief executive officer Jono Dean was also hopeful of a move soon to alert level 1 so the company could make the most of the last six weeks of snow this winter.

While a warm start to the season meant a limited ability for RAL to make snow and minimal natural snowfall, since August Mt Ruapehu has offered top to bottom skiing and riding at both ski areas.

More than 215,000 manuhiri (guests) had been welcomed to the maunga since the beginning of July.

Guest numbers were ahead of the same period in 2019, said Gribben, with one less month of operations – the key factor being sightseeing guests on the Sky Waka.