20 Aug 2008

Record snow base at Mt Ruapehu

8:30 am on 20 August 2008

Turoa ski field on Mount Ruapehu has recorded a snow base of 455cm - the largest ever at a commercial ski field in New Zealand.

It's been welcomed by Ohakune businesses who say the snow is a much needed boost after a disruption to last year's season due to drought, teething problems on a new skilift and a lahar.

Mount Ruapehu marketing manager, Mike Smith, says the unprecedented dumping of snow has meant extra work for avalanche patrollers and endless amounts of digging.