The upper slopes of Mt Ruapehu still bear the grey mantle from Tuesday's eruption. Photo / Alan Gibson
Whakapapa lift operators are crediting a combination of a stunning spring day and "the novelty factor" for their biggest crowd so far these school holidays, despite Mt Ruapehu's volcanic eruption on Tuesday night.
Turoa and Whakapapa skifields were closed on Wednesday because scientists were not sure if more
volcanic activity was to come.
Ruapehu Alpine Lifts general manager Dave Mazey estimated up to $200,000 was lost in chairlift takings because of the skifields' closure.
But yesterday 4000 holidaymakers flocked back to the slopes at Whakapapa, said Ruapehu Alpine Lifts marketing manager Mike Smith.
"That's pretty good, and is about what we would expect for a good day. Obviously people have stayed around to see what would happen. I think the novelty factor would have played its part."
Strong winds on the mountain's other skifield, Turoa, limited the crowd there to about 1000.
The dark scars from the eruption were still clear for everyone to see on the upper slopes, and scores of people took photographs.
All chairlifts at Whakapapa operated yesterday, except for the Far West Quay. Terrain in that area was badly affected.
Despite safety warnings in place, some people hiked to the lahar for a closer look.
Wellington student Ian Carmen, 17, said he became frustrated at missing out on a day's boarding on Wednesday, but was raring to go as the day dawned fine and clear yesterday.
"I was gutted we couldn't ski. We walked up on Wednesday to the lahar because we couldn't find pictures of it on the internet. It was good seeing it up close. It was pretty surreal for that to happen while we were on the mountain."
Auckland mechanic Dominik Suter and his wife Nicole organised their two boys for their first run down the slopes about 9am yesterday, together with the Hedley family.
They were relieved to be back on the slopes after hearing rumours that the skifields would be closed all week.
"We were here Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, which were good days too, but this is beautiful," Mr Suter said. "It was disappointing we couldn't ski yesterday but they did the right thing."
The family spent their day off the slopes lunching at National Park railway station before visiting the Tokaanu hot pools.
Ruapehu eruption photo gallery