Last-Minute New Zealand Government bail-out enables Mt Ruapehu skifields to operate for winter

The ski fields at Mt Ruapehu opened for the winter ski season following Ruapehu Alpine Lifts’ liquidators having been granted a $5 million loan from the New Zealand Government.

As a result, the mountain’s Whakapapa and Tūroa ski fields opened on 1st July with season passes having gone on sale as of 3rd July for a two-week period.

Life passes to the ski fields will also remain active and valid whilst Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL) operates the 2023 winter season.

After falling into voluntary administration in October 2022 and with a creditors meeting on 20th June failing to agree to proposals to take over the business, doubt had surrounded whether the ski fields would operate again.

However, in a move to save jobs and prevent economic loss to the region New Zealand Regional Development Minister, Kiri Allan announced the funding as of 26th June.

The loan to RAL’s liquidators is expected to extend the time in which they can attract purchasers for the business and its assets.

Commenting on the lifeline, RAL Chief Executive, Jono Dean stated “we’re back and ready to host an epic winter of good times.”

Advising that teams had been working to ensure the mountain was ready to reopen, he noted “I’m so proud of our crew who have continued to put in the hard work during an extraordinary period for RAL, and we cannot wait to share the treats with all our loyal supporters, skiers, and riders later in July.

Mt Ruapehu is progressively open lifts and terrain on both sides of the mountain as snow conditions and weather allows.

RAL, which runs ski field operations at Whakapapa and Tūroa, went into voluntary administration last year after the combined effects of Covid-19 lockdowns and a poor ski season, left it almost $40m in debt.

Images: Skiers at Mt Ruapehu (top) and Mt Ruapehu Sky Waka Gondola whos operations have not been affected by RAL's financial issues (below).