September News...

From on the hill (Whakapapa)

Well, we’ve had heaps of recent snow, making for great spring skiing.  From last weekend 13+14 September, snow around the lodge down to the Top of the Bruce:  

Weekends are being booked out so don’t delay your bookings.  Last weekend the lodge was full.

USE IT OR LOSE IT – reminder to financial members to use your 2 free nights before the end of the season.

Custodian Linda Reed will be absent from the lodge from Sunday 28 September returning Thursday 16 October.  According to who is present the lodge officer or other member will act in her place during that time.

Whakapapa Holdings’ intended season finish as usual is Labour Day, Monday 27 October.   

And the other side (Turoa)

The skiing at Turoa is often brilliant during spring, often with good snow falls in September to mid-October.  Indeed, Turoa often only closes after Labour Weekend due to lack of skiers, not lack of great skiing and snow. 

Our stores officer hasn’t got around to Ohakune yet so if members find essential supplies depleted, e.g. toilet paper, please buy from the supermarket & submit the invoice to admin@iwikau.com to be reimbursed.

New members join in

Following new 19 members joining in July-August, 17 more joined this month!  A number have made it down to the lodge participating in the positive vibe (the grins were before the final AB-SA test score)!

Upcoming events at Whakapapa

From https://www.whakapapa.com/events:

·     Sunset session, Saturday 20 September - Sunset laps on the Valley T-bar until 5:30 pm, a DJ on the Knoll Ridge cafe deck, drinks from The Back Bar, and views above the clouds.

·     Tongariro Juniors ski racing, Saturday 20 September, contingency Sunday 21 September

·     Warren Miller Movie “75” at Lorenz’ Bar & Café, Tuesday 23 September - powder stashes and chutes around the world

·     Way Back Wednesday, 24 September 2025 - retro vibes on the slopes! Dress up in your best throwback ski gear 50% off your day pass, prizes for the best dressed

·     Upper Mountain Big Air, Saturday 27 September - huge tricks, massive airtime - the legendary Big Air returns in 2025!

·     North Is. Adapative Festival, Friday 26 to Sunday 28 September - three-day event supported by Snow Sports NZ brings together adaptive skiers and snowboarders of all levels

·     Rogue Run, Monday 29 September 2025 - freeride race open to all ages and abilities – it’s about speed, skill, and having fun [SAFELY!]

·     Women's Freeride, Wednesday 1 October 2025 – day to gain tips with like-minded women

·     Pond Skim, Saturday 4 October 2025 

·     University of Auckland racing, 4 - 5 October

Be prepared…

And this is why carrying a spade, perhaps with a folding or telescopic handle, as well as chains, in the car is always a good idea at any time of the season:

A reminder too that AWD vehicles may also need chains whether up hill in the dark on Friday night or for the drive down.  AWD is not enough without chains when there is ice or significant snow on the road! 

Instruction corner

Never stop learning if we’re of a mind to, so:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eaBHNb7yCA&li st=PLIKCU6GPV4m2Ok9sHu0B892EydPTtVQLw&in dex=2

August 2025 - News...

From on the hill (Whakapapa)

Big shout out to Whakapapa Holdings Limited for the amazing job they have done to provide top to bottom skiing on the Sky Waka. Chris Carnall managed 25 runs on the gondola on Saturday 16 August, and noted that at the 9am start there would have only been 15 people in the line-up, and no wait during the day. Skiers right in the Valley was also in great shape, but skiers left of the Valley a little sketchy. The lodge was full and atmosphere great as always so make sure you get down to the mountain and soon. 

Snow typically builds from August through to mid-October, and spring skiing is often the best!

Upcoming events at Whakapapa

From https://www.whakapapa.com/events:

·     Ngauruhoe Trophy Race, Saturday 30 August, or contingency Sunday 31 August

·     Rangatira Trophy Race & Christiania Derby, Saturday 6 September, or contingency Sunday 7 September

·     Pond Skim, Saturday 13 September - Costumes, chaos and big laughs guaranteed!

·     Tongariro Juniors ski racing, Saturday 20 September, contingency Sunday 21 September

·     Warren Miller Movie “75” at Lorenz’ Bar & Café, Tuesday 23 September - powder stashes and chutes around the world

·     Upper Mountain Big Air, 27 September - huge tricks, massive airtime - the legendary Big Air returns in 2025!

·     North Is. Adapative Festival, Friday 26 to Sunday 28 September - three-day event supported by Snow Sports NZ brings together adaptive skiers and snowboarders of all levels

Resignation – Roger Fea

This note to the committee from Roger captures the great times being a member of the club:

I didn't renew my sub this year and what a big decision that was for me.

The club has been a hugely important part of my life - I described it as being my second home. I joined at age 48 after a marriage break up. I asked Kerry and Marilyn Jenkins [founding members] about joining. We were members of the same wine and food society. At my age I would never make it as a skier, Marilyn told me. I like to think I proved her wrong.

I am now well over 80 and I haven't skied for about three years. The last time was at Mt Hutt. In truth my legs are not up to it either.

I feel incredibly sad to part company with the club. My best friends have come from skiing and specifically the club. They are still skiing, albeit with some restrictions caused by age. AND they are 10 to 15 years younger than me!!

My membership has given me huge pleasure. Thank you, thank you Iwikau Ski Club for coming into my life!!!

Yours in skiing,

ROGER FEA

Free hand & toe warmers

Committee member John Leybourne has donated some hand warmers for those cold days up the hill. They can also be used in ski boots. Although past their usual expiry date, they will still keep your extremities warm so ask the Custodian or the lodge officer if there are any left on your next stay at the lodge.

Instruction corner

Ours is an extremely technical sport!  Of course, ski racing GOAT Mikaela Shiffrin is coached and practices endlessly.  We can even study at home:

https://youtu.be/8T3Q2l_nmzM?si=DX8DiiWKLaU1lc2A

Newsletter - July 2025

Open for bookings

Whakapapa lodge and Ohakune house are open for bookings....

Make a Booking

During the autumn work parties, the Whakapapa lodge stores were replenished, and firewood topped up in the Ohakune garage so no one should be cold!

Remember that members who paid the subs before 30 June this year, have two free nights accommodation to use this season!

Ski fields updates                                                    

Whakapapa and Tūroa opened their intermediate and advanced slopes chairlifts on July 26 with the Delta Chairlift and High Noon Express, respectively:

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/mt-ruapehu-ski-fields-provide-full-access-for-snow-sports-enthusiasts-after-opening-weekend/OVQIFFLV6VD4ZPWVZE5ZG72EKE/

Whakapapa and Turoa both invested in more snowmaking ability for this season.  WHL is adding 10 new automated snow guns to improve a 2.5-kilometre trail, from the Knoll Ridge Chalet (2020m) down to the base area and Happy Valley, and moving other snow guns further up the mountain. 

From past seasons we know that snow builds throughout August and onwards.  We just need the right combination of cold, precipitation, and sunny days, which we’ve had all of!

Custodian                                                                          

Custodian Linda Reed is at the lodge for as long as the ski field remains open, from Wednesday night and leaving on Sunday each week. 

It will be necessary for the weekend Lodge Officer to complete a brief shut down on Sunday afternoon before leaving, or to handover to another senior member staying on from Sunday night, to particularly ensure that all heaters and other electrical items other than essential appliances and alarms are turned off.  A check list will be developed.

New members                                                                

Pleasingly, we’ve had about 25 new members, including seven in their teens, join since the AGM.  If you meet any of them in the club buildings please make them welcome and help them with the workings of the lodge/house, and the mountain.  Many of us are committed “lifers” for whom the club, friendships, and adventures have provided us many fantastic times!

Club events, & group bookings                                                                

We’ll be advising in future newsletters plans for club events, according to the season.  Typically, they include club race weekend, a theme weekend, and school holidays when there might be mid-week group bookings for at least part of Whakapapa. 

North Is Schools Ski Championships                                                      

The North Island Primary & Intermediate Schools Ski Championships, sanctioned by Snow Sports NZ, is due to be held at Whakapapa from 24–27 August.  This is one of the largest snow sports events in the country, with at times in excess of 150 teams organised by competing schools. 

Guest bookings                                                                

To promote bookings and new membership we are trialling equal priority of guest bookings on first come basis with members for the month of August.

Any feedback from experiences with this via committee@iwikau.com will help decide whether to extend this for the entire season or to apply it for only mid-week bookings.

Members may book non-member friends into the club when the member is not going to be accompanying them.  However, the website booking system cannot facilitate that correctly in absence of the member.  Instead, the member needs to email Murray Oliver via bookings@iwikau.com giving the dates of arrival and departure, names of adults, and names and ages of any children, and guest contact phone and email.  Murray would create an off-line booking and email the member with the accommodation fees payable and payment method.  Once payment goes through Murray can finally confirm the booking.  The standard booking rules apply in all cases.

Whakapapa food lift                                                                

Who said you can't drive to the Whakapapa Lodge?

Mark’s mountain mule.  It has to be said (!), that in the old days we back-packed the stores up.  The 5-6 hikes up with fully loaded back packs were perfect tests for season fitness!  All in favour of reinstating?