By ANNE-MARIE EMERSON
A $12 million high-speed chairlift was opened at Turoa skifield yesterday by Prime Minister Helen Clark but the star of the day was out of action.
A severe ice-storm on Mt Ruapehu last week caused thick ice to build up on the High Noon Express chairlift, eventually derailing it.
However, the mishap didn't dampen the festivities on the mountain yesterday.
The 1.4km-long six-seat chairlift, the largest in Australasia, moves more than 3200 people per hour and has a top speed of five metres per second.
Ruapehu Alpine Lifts director Graham Painter said the lift would significantly boost the rate at which skiers could be transported up the mountain.
"This chairlift means getting up the skifield, from bottom to top, now takes 15 minutes instead of 35.
"It will make the much-loved back country areas of Turoa more accessible for skiers."
The lift was part of a $19 million upgrade of Turoa's facilities, including a new caf? and retail complex and 25 automated snow guns.
Further expansion is planned at both Turoa and Whakapapa over the next few years, with a total of $60 million expected to be spent.
Miss Clark was welcomed to Turoa by a powhiri, before being escorted to the new chairlift building by Ruapehu Alpine Lifts and Turoa staff and members of local iwi, for the official opening.
Miss Clark said her first experience of skiing was at Mt Ruapehu, while she was a child growing up in the Waikato. She said she was looking forward to trying out the chairlift for herself.
Ruapehu Alpine Lifts manager Dave Mazey said the High Noon Express chairlift would be open for sight-seeing only this weekend, with skiers and snowboarders able to use it once more snow had fallen.
"We are very proud and excited to have the new chairlift, which will allow us to offer visitors a better experience than ever."
High Noon for Helen
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