Bye to Nick and Billy.

Man we are lazy bloggers! Ok time to try and change that.

We have said 'Bye' to winter last weekend and already we are hosting summer cyclists and trampers! Cool.
These guys have just departed to do a 4 day river trip by canoe on the Whanganui river. Best of luck to Nick and Billy. Cheers from Mike and Lucy at the Raetihi International Airport and Backpackers.

Labour Weekend

What a fantastic country this is! Further north the lifeguards are out on the beaches, while down here in the Central Plateau we are still skiing and boarding our hearts out. This Labour weekend has been epic. Saturday and Sunday were forecast to be ok, and they were great. Monday was forecast to be rubbish, and turned out Bluebird!

Plus, there was a fresh couple of centimetres of snow to be played on! Fantastic stuff.

Still two weeks of the season on Turoa, it's great to go snowboarding then come home and put shorts on and have dinner outside.

Well, the seaon is nearly over...

tell that to the weather. We (at Raetihi and the whole Ruapehu area) have been snowed on in bucketloads. It is so cool to see snow falling here in Raetihi, as it really only does it once, maybe twice a year. So, once again, the guys at R.A.L. have to figure out whether to extend the season or close at the original time - around Labour Day. Fingers crossed for a few more days of skiing.
Cheers, Mike at the Raetihi International Airport & backpackers.

Another great day in town and up the hill...

Poor MJ. rest in peace.
Check this out for the best and oddest tribute.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMnk7lh9M3o

Turoa opens for 2009 season !!!

This shot is from the Turoa car park on Ruapehu. It looks West to Taranaki in the distance.

Taken 07 June 2009.

The only run open so far is the Alpine Valley. It's a learner slope but everyone was having a great time there. The early opening (it was going to be June 20) has given the lucky ones a chance to brush up their skills.

Here's my lovely Mrs, Lucy with her first slide of the season.

And here she is again on her second go. Get up the mountain now!!

Check it out. Five P.M. sunset on Ruapehu. Click on it to see BIG.

We are ready, are they?

Mike here, hoping that the fellas up the mountain are thinking about an early opening for the Ruapehu ski fields. I don't expect al the runs on Turoa and Whakapapa to be available but how about a 'soft' opening guys?

Well, here we go again!

Snowed in Raetihi last night! Yippee! Winter is on it's way and we are ready for guests. Cant wait. It is 1 a.m. and I am waiting for the snow again. The beagles were not particularly thrilled by the snow. Spent most of the day inside grizzling. Never mind. Look out for us in the new Ruapehu brochure. First time Raetihi has been properly included. X Mike.