Wintersports Rediscovered
A new study concludes that the total 2007-08 ski market grew by 3% across all markets despite depressed sales due to challenging snow conditions in Europe.
The study commissioned by UK tour tour operator, Crystal does not shed any light to see if the US market has at all been affected due to recent economic woes.
Continue reading ‘Despite global economic woes, UK ski market continues to grow’
A devastating windstorm registering more than 200 kph (125 mph) suddenly hit Mt. Ruapehu, New Zealand mid morning Saturday left thousands skiers trying to get down during a spectacular 12-hour evacuation effort.
Ten thousand skiers were at the jointly owned Whakapapa and Turoa ski resorts when the wild weather struck mid-morning, and about 8,000 left straight away as a result. However about 2,000 stayed on the slopes to battle the elements. At one point skiers were reported forming human chains to guide themselves off the mountain and cars were escorted from the area in groups of six, although a large number were left at the area overnight.
I don’t think anyone could have predicted how quickly the weather was going to come in. One minute it was beautiful, thousands of people were having a lovely time, then bang and it was not quite so lovely.”
“I expected it to worsen gradually throughout the afternoon, but this came in very fast. Normally you know when a storm is coming, but there was no warning.” resort spokesman Mike Smith told local media.
Luckily no deaths were reported during the incident.