Buzz as snowcats see action

Rain-damaged paths did not stop skiers and snowboarders from getting in good runs on Whakapapa recently, with over-snow vehicles running shuttles to the Far West T-Bar, a service prohibited until this year.

Social media sites were abuzz with news snowcats were transporting skiers out west, where access had been cut due to heavy rains. The practice ceased on July 30.

The Department of Conservation allowed Whakapapa ski area operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL) to run the shuttle because of unsafe conditions on parts of the mountain due to the weather.

The Tongariro national management plan was amended at the end of last year to allow RAL to use snowcats on Whakapapa.

Guidelines limited it to "transporting people to and from club lodgings, ski area buildings, and during organised events, such as races".

The plan does not specifically mention adverse weather conditions trigger the use of over-snow transportation.

DoC spokesman Bhrent Guy said RAL was allowed to use snowcats because it fitted within the parameters of the management plan.

The shuttle was run between ski area buildings - a cafeteria and a kiosk - and was therefore acceptable.

He also said safety was a factor in the decision as the recent rain storm had washed snow off the mountain, making it unsafe to access the Far West T in the usual way.

"Basically what was happening was that both ice and the track washout meant that people wouldn't be able to get backwards and forwards."

Mr Guy said the licence was only for a limited period of time.

"This won't be a carte blanche licence to go out and use the snowcats to transport people willy nilly," he said.

Mr Guy would not rule out allowing RAL to use snowcats in the future.

"If this should happen again then they would make application to the area manager who would consider the request in terms of public safety."