Snow reports 'deceptive'

By John Armstrong

Encouraging snow reports have often sent skiers on the four-hour drive to Ruapehu to find only ash and rocks where there should be "excellent" or "fresh" snow.

Last week's newspaper reports were an example of this deception (practised I suspect by the Chateau or the lift companies).

The "Dominion" said on Friday — "Conditions on Mt. Ruapehu are excellent". (Correctly it said that skiing prospects on Egmont were good.)

The "New Zealand Herald" published one of the most realistic reports to be seen in years—"No snow has fallen at Mt. Ruapchu for more than two weeks and conditions for weekend skiers are very poor.

"The skiable snow level is at 5300 ft and even then conditions are very patchy, with ash from the recent eruption showing through. Few experienced skiers are expected with the continuous snow level only just below 7000 ft."

Though some snow fell in the weekend these conditions still prevail and the teams race this weekend may not be held.

Conditions on Mt. Egmont in the weekend were good. Rain and mist made skiing unpleasan on Saturday, but firm snow and warm, calm weather on Sunday allowed a zone race to be held.

The field has a base of 20", some ridges are bare and it seems there will be sufficient snow for next weekend.