Top ski season predicted

News release weather - 1
May 20, 2008

Top ski season predicted

Snow sports enthusiasts are in for a great season – with winter expected to be colder, longer and earlier than usual.

Author of the Predict Weather Almanacs and renowned weather predictor Ken Ring, who calculates future weather by the orbits of the moon, expects “a good season with plenty of snow”.

“Circle the second week of June and mid July for big snow events and September for drier weather. June, July and August look to be good for snowfalls, September less so, then more snow in October,” says Ring.

He predicts May to be wet, June dry, July close to average in precipitation, and significantly more than average falls in August.

Ring says while overall temperatures may not be lower than last year, it will be cold enough for snowmakers to operate.

Cold southerly systems are expected between May 23-May 25, May 31-June 14, June 20-June 24, July 2-July 13, July 19-July 20, July 24-July 26, July 30-July 31, August 12-August 17, August 30-Sept 2, Sept 8-Sept 11, Sept 27-Oct 4, and Oct 21-Oct 27.

This means that June may be cold at the start, middle and end of the month, August may be colder in the first half and the last week and in September the middle of the month could be coolest.

New Zealand Snow Industries Federation (NZSIF) president Roland Kuhn says the prospect of a longer, colder winter, combined with new lifts and snowmaking equipment across the nation’s ski fields means Kiwis will be spoilt for choice.

He says an earlier start also means snow enthusiasts should get into their local NZSIF retailer to take advantage of the free Snow Equipment checks that are being offered this year.

“Malfunctioning gear can lead to serious injury, and could end your winter season,” Kuhn says.

Kuhn is backed by ACC which is urging skiers and snowboarders to check their gear prior to hitting the slopes.

To get a Snow Equipment check, simply take your gear - skis, boards, boots and poles - into an NZSIF member retailer identified by an NZSIF sticker. Each item is inspected free of charge by a professional, and will help give you piece of mind when you hit the slopes.

A full list of NZSIF members is available at:
www.nzsif.org.nz
www.predictweather.com

Issued for NZSIF by Pead PR

ENDS

© Scoop Media