Mt Ruapehu, NZ inline for massive changes
Sat 18 March 06
Over the next 2 years $25million is due to be spent upgrading the lift system and installing huge snowmaking facilities at both Whakapapa and Turoa
Proposed changes
$30m in new development over the next two years. This will include the installation of three high speed chairlifts and a major snowmaking system over the next two years. 
Whakapapa will see the installation of the Tennants Express four seater over the summer of 2006/2007 and the Valley Express six seater in the 2007/2008 summer.
Turoa will see a massive upgrade to its current snowmaking capacity with a new 50 million litre reservoir and 25 new snow guns. This will take snowmaking to the top of the Movenpick Chairlift. Perhaps more exciting is the installation of the 1.4km High Noon Express six seater chairlift. This lift runs from the top of the Movenpick to the top of the High Noon T-bar. We’re confident that both these projects will be completed for the 2007 winter.
Rasing the cash
RAL aims to raise $25 million from a Life Pass issue to help fund the new development. 7000 people will get the opportunity to buy a life pass to the resorts, so you'll never have to pay a cent again, obviously at $3875 they ain't cheap, and if you want to be able to transfer it to someone $4995 you can buy a Life Plus Pass .
Visit www.mtruapehu.com/lifepasses.asp for more details
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:: Whakapapa stories
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