Image: Southerly At Turoa Brings 35°C Wind Chill

Media Release 17 August 2001

SOUTHERLY BLAST AT TUROA BRINGS 35°c WIND CHILL

Wind speeds of up to 100km/h at Mt Ruapehu's Turoa ski field on Wednesday brought with it wind chill temperatures of -35°c to -40°c.

Out of the wind, a chilly ?9 degrees at the ski area prevailed resulting in dry powder snow falling on the mountain, of which skiers and snowboarders are enjoying today.

The southerly storm closed most roads in the region as well as bringing a blanket of snow to local towns. An impressive 20cm of snow is estimated to have blanketed the towns of Ohakune, National Park and Whakapapa Village. Ohakune residents haven't seen this much snow in the town in over 17 years.

Turoa Ski Area, now with a snow base of more than 2.15 metres, has had more than 50cm of fresh snow in the past three days with very heavy wind drifts of up to 1 metre in places. Whakapapa Ski Area now has a snow base of 1.8 metres thanks to 30cm of fresh snow together with some heavy snowdrifts.

"Although slightly unexpected, this storm is a blessing in disguise for Whakapapa and Turoa Ski Areas. The new snow means more and better skiing and boarding well into the winter and the top-up is just what we needed at Mt Ruapehu, " said Dave Mazey, General Manager.

ENDS

For more information, contact Mike Smith, Marketing Manager 07 892 3090 / 025 224 2100

For a digital image, please contact Kim Manunui at marketing.whakapapa@mtruapehu.com

Kristie Penwarden Phone: (09) 979 2026 Mobile: 025 374 524 Fax: (09) 979 2099

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