Ruapehu Alpine Lifts goes into liquidation: Community concerned ahead of ski season for Turoa and Whakapapa

The embattled company behind operations at Mt Ruapehu ski fields has gone into liquidation, leaving the community uncertain ahead of the ski season. Photo / Mt Ruapehu

The embattled company behind operations at Mt Ruapehu ski fields has gone into liquidation, leaving the community uncertain ahead of the ski season.

Creditors of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL), which went into voluntary administration last year owing $45 million, failed to reach an agreement today.

RAL operates the Tūroa and Whakapapa fields.

Earlier, it was estimated at least 196 people would lose their jobs if the ski fields went under for good, not taking into account the businesses that rely on visitors to the surrounding towns.

The Government had supported two companies to take over RAL’s assets and business.

Since last year, the Government has invested $8 million in bridging money for RAL.

Ruapehu District Mayor Weston Kirton said it was a disappointment “all around”.

Kirton said it created a lot of uncertainty for the community, which expected the ski season to be running in due course.

A liquidation hearing was expected at the Auckland High Court tomorrow.

Rain in last year’s wet winter repeatedly washed away the snow and the ski area’s 50 snowmaking machines proved no match against balmy temperatures.

Climate change appears to be a significant factor after New Zealand experienced its warmest winter on record — for the third year in a row.

The disastrous 2022 snow season came after the previous two seasons were severely disrupted by Covid-19, leaving Tūroa and Whakapapa on the brink of bankruptcy.

MBIE provided additional funding to PwC to allow RAL to continue to trade until the start of this year’s season and to give time for a long-term plan to be formulated.

Taupō mayor David Trewavas was hopeful, once the liquidators took over, that the two bidders preferred by the Government to purchase Turoa and Whakapapa ski fields separately would kick in.

”They were ready to go. That’s the disappointing thing. Two new entities ready to go, keep the lights on and into action.”

He said the hundreds of staff employed by the ski fields had an impact on both the Ruapehu and Taupō districts and the ski season also boosted the winter economy in surrounding townships, including Taupō and Tūrangi.

”A lot of the families are based here, which contributes to our local economy, our schools, all our service groups.

”Hopefully there is still a bit of light in the tunnel yet and we are down but not out, and we encourage everyone to get behind the entities that possibly are going to purchase and carry on.

”I won’t comment too much about the other offers but the most credible one was the Government involvement. The community thanks the Government for keeping it going so far and they have topped it up quite a bit.”