New Zealand’s first summer tube ride comes to Lake Tekapo’s Alpine Springs resort

Summer tube rides were at the top of the Must Do Lists for northern hemisphere adventure seekers – and the first one in New Zealand will be opened at Lake Tekapo’s Alpine Springs resort in January 2012.

The facility is being imported from Austria, and will be installed on the winter snow tube park on the lower slopes of Mount John. It uses synthetic carpet with the same slippery properties as snow, and curves, corners and slopes on the thrilling ride-on-gravity.

Riders use the winter snow tubes, but the bottoms of the tubes are reinforced for use on the artificial matting. There is an existing Magic Carpet conveyor lift to take people quickly up to the top of the 150 metre slope.

Cathy Hemsworth, Business Development Manager for Alpine Springs, said summer tubing had proved so popular in Europe and North America that 500 facilities had been installed in just a few years.

“It’s become a real craze and we’re delighted to be the first in New Zealand to offer such a great summer adventure ride that’s safe for all the family. There’s only one in Australia but they are incredibly popular in Europe where they’re operating in urban and rural settings,” Cathy Hemsworth said.

“The summer tube experience will add to the roller and blade skating attractions we offer, and the three hot pools. I’m sure it’ll be a very popular combo for families here and there will be a lot of younger people who will want to tube and talk about it on their social networks.”
“Tubers get the thrills and spills of an exciting downhill ride in a safe environment, and as operators, it means we can use the same slope and conveyor lift for both winter and summer rides.”

Alpine Springs will have the facility open by early January.

ENDS

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