Mt Ruapehu Ski Fields Continue To Face Uncertain Future

The Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company operated the Whakapapa and Turoa skifields on Mount Ruapehu, which is the highest mountain in the North Island of New Zealand. The company has faced financial difficulties for several years due to a combination of factors, including poor weather conditions, changing consumer preferences, and the impact of Covid-19 on the tourism industry.In October 2022, the company went into voluntary administration owing tens of millions of dollars. Voluntary administrator John Fisk from PWC has been managing the company since then and has been working to find a solution that will allow the skifields to reopen and continue operating.Kānoa, the government's Regional Economic Development and Investment Unit, has been overseeing the process of reviewing bids for the company. Four bids were finalized last week, and Kānoa is currently working to finalize a deal that will be presented to cabinet for approval.

Mt Ruapehu stands proud above the centre of the North Island. However, there are a number of complexities involved in the process, including the need to negotiate with creditors, the Department of Conservation, and iwi (indigenous Maori tribes) who have cultural and spiritual connections to the mountain. Some iwi have expressed concerns about the impact of skiing and other activities on the mountain's sacred status, while others have emphasized the economic benefits of keeping the skifields open.If the skifields do not reopen, it could have significant economic impacts on the local community. The skifields provide jobs for hundreds of people, and they also attract thousands of tourists each year who spend money in the region. Additionally, the cost of removing the infrastructure and returning the land to its natural state would be significant.Ultimately, the future of the Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company remains uncertain, and it will likely be several more weeks before a final decision is made.

Whakapapa ski field trail map. Credit: Whakapapa Ski Resort