Entrepreneur Returns to the Original Wanaka Ski field

8 July 2017

MEDIA RELEASE

Sir Tim Wallis visited Treble Cone on Opening Day and is still brimming with development ideas and praise for his beloved TC.

Wanaka, OTAGO, July 5, 2017 – Sir Tim Wallis delighted opening day guests with his presence. “It is always a special treat to be here on Opening Day” he remarked.

Quick to spin a yarn and reminisce with hard core Treble Cone guests and staff alike, and you can’t fault his flawless timing, arriving minutes before Amisfield bubbles were served in the Plaza.

Sir Tim is no stranger to Treble Cone. Sir Tim and a bunch of his buddies were instrumental in identifying and commencing the initial development of Treble Cone Ski Area in the early 1960s. His Rat Pack (Ray Cleland, Ralph Markby, Allan Kane, Bob Wallace ) cut the tracks still used today, wily spirits that carved out the field using Bulldozers and Helicopters of the day.

Tim’s favourite memories are those blue bell days with his family up at TC with the Wanaka Ski Club. TC provided a Day Lodge at the top of the old double Lift for the Wanaka Ski Club to use as a base. The daily ritual of a picnic come BBQ spot was created, that spot was also just flat enough to land a helicopter.

While in the earlier days of Treble Cone it wasn’t uncommon for Sir Tim to delight Skiers in his Spitfire MK XVI as it ‘beat it up’ over TC. His route involved leaving the Wanaka Airport, sneaking around the back, over the ridge, and flying low enough to startle a few skiers. Of course, he was still rewarded with a wave and he in turn, would reward them with a barrel (or two) for good measure.

Last Wednesday, Sir Tim obliged us with a scenic chair lift with TC team members from Patrol, the CEO, the GM for Marketing & Sales and his nurse Hilary. He remarked that “Treble Cone truly provides the best view in Wanaka.”

Sir Tim; ever the entrepreneur, is still full of development ideas and passionate about the opportunities it has brought to Wanaka and the Ski Field. Sir Tim would like to see a gondola run the mountain side from start of the access road to the saddle, complete with a full restaurant. He’s already affectionately named the Gondola – the Trondola, and there’s every chance it’ll stick.

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