As once described by Queen Elizabeth it has been an annus horribilis for the year. Not just this year but for a second year in a row. Trying to keep the financial situation is proving to be a headache. Although we were open during part of the ski season, we suffered the loss of income … Read more
So the ski season has ended for RAL on Labour Day. Given that there was still plenty of upper mountain snow under normal conditions the lifts would have continued to operate for a bit longer but nothing is normal this year or indeed last. The summer program for the Gondola and Cafeteria will commence on … Read more
Unlike last year lady luck was with us following the announcement that the essential part of New Zealand was to move back to level 2. That meant that we completed ski week 1 and opened again for ski week 2 and hopefully the coming school holidays. Ski week 2 was very successful with the only … Read more
It certainly is a case of deja vu after last year’s devastating lock down coincidentally about the same time of the year. We can only hope that the hard level 4 will get us out of this without too much damage. My thoughts go to all involved last year and this year to make the … Read more
We have passed the first group of school holidays with a good turn out of families staying at the lodge over the two-week period. Unfortunately, only the lower mountain was open for skiing due to the poor covering of snow on the upper mountain. Happy valley was open most days for skiing and the Rangatira … Read more
Lodge Update: Our Maunga June 2021 Last weekend we had the pleasure of joining a club trip celebrating the winter solstice. A good time was had by all with a Christmas meal, great music, dancing, and lots of good fun. The day trips on Saturday were varied but most did the Kiriwhakapapa circuit in pleasant … Read more
The mountain has had more sprinklings of snow indicating that things up there are getting cooler along with the days getting shorter. The lift operator is flat out making snow in the Happy Valley beginners’ area which will be open from Queens Birthday weekend. Our Summer rates apply over Queens Birthday. We can only open … Read more
The mountain has had a few sprinklings of snow indicating that things up there are gettingcooler along with the days getting shorter. Reflecting on this time last year things were a bit nerve wracking with a close down of thecountry and not knowing what the future would bring for the lodge. We can move into … Read more
The mountain is continuing to provide good weather and the gondola is now operating again after a short maintenance break. Ruapehu Alpine Lifts are completing work on the lifts so here is hoping all is up and running for winter this season. At our last meeting we decided that we would not increase our accommodation … Read more
The weather on the mountain seems to have settled a bit giving favourable conditions for those who will be staying at our lodge. The volcanic hazard level has returned to level 1 which means that all can visit the top of the mountain. This is a fantastic option at this time of the year when … Read more