Taupo wants to become premier ski destination

Taupo wants to become a top winter resort town. PHOTO/FILE

Taupo wants to transform itself into New Zealand's premier ski destination - with the Taupo District Council approving $100,000 of funding for the next two years to help bring the dream to reality.

The decision came after a presentation from Ruapehu Alpine Lifts chief executive Ross Copland which outlined the company's $100 million plans to put Mt Ruapehu on the world stage as the country's ski region of choice.

Part of the company's plan was to transform Taupo into a destination hub for snow-seekers by offering two retail offerings as well as a shuttle service that would leave for the mountain from town every 30 minutes, stopping in Turangi en route.

Other plans for the wider Ruapehu district include a free shuttle service from Whakapapa Village and National Park to the Whakapapa ski area, and from Ohakune to Turoa.

On the mountain, the company was bringing in world-first technology that would allow snow to be made in temperatures up to 25C. It was reinventing the learner experience at Happy Valley by installing new carpet lifts and elevator access, and new beginner terrain was also being opened up appealing to a broad range of visitors new to winter sports.

Construction of $45m worth of new base area facilities and a gondola were entering the consent stage and night-skiing would be relaunched at Whakapapa after a long hiatus.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts was also planning on gaining a strong foothold in the Australian tourism market and was working with Tourism New Zealand and Destination Great Lake Taupo.

However, for the project to be a success, there needed to be strong community support and an investment from the council to help fund a marketing campaign led by Tourism New Zealand, Mr Copland said.

"We need to position ourselves as a key player in the New Zealand ski industry by becoming the new emerging ski region for the Australian market and demonstrating to the North Island domestic market that Ruapehu is back."

Mayor David Trewavas said the offering by Ruapehu Alpine Lifts was one of the biggest economic development opportunities the district had seen for some time.

The "game changer" had been the renewal of the company's licence on the mountain and its vision and drive to bring the long-term plan to fruition was one that the council was united in supporting.

"We have the potential to be the primary winter resort town to service visitors to Whakapapa and that will bring with it a number of benefits," he said.

"We know our district has a lot to offer and this has the potential to put us on the world stage as a ski destination of choice."

Destination Great Lake Taupo chairman Ray Salter said the direction Ruapehu Alpine Lifts was taking would transform the Taupo District into a premier winter destination for New Zealand and Australian visitors.

The 2017 ski season is expected to open on June 3 - a month earlier than usual as a result of the snowmaking investment.