The weather gods delivered 12cm of snow to the Pisa Range yesterday during the Snow Farm’s official opening of its new base building, boding well for next week’s Merino Muster World Loppet and the continuation of the season into next month.
About 60 people huddled in a cosy group around the Mount Aspiring College kapa haka group as they and kaumatua Darren Rewi welcomed people to the noon event, presided over by the Snow Farm patron and former prime minister Helen Clark.
A delighted Snow Farm Trust chairman Sam "Q" Belk said it was a miracle to have it.
Covid travel restrictions, lease changes, then a season operating from containers were challenges, but now the $750,000 building was complete and the trust would press on with stage two plans: a skifield classroom and shelter.
After a staff protest last year, the trust decided in December to go into debt to fund the new building. It also ran a fundraising campaign.
A keen outdoorswoman, Miss Clark arrived at the Snow Farm yesterday after five days’ ski touring in the Two Thumb Ranges near Tekapo, where conditions had been warmer and the snow soft.
"I have cross-country skied a number of skifields in the northern hemisphere and we have a world-class facility here ... What stands out for me for the Snow Farm is it is welcoming — inclusive for every age and ability.
"It is not easy to run a not-for-profit ski club like this ... It takes many, many hands and we have seen many hands come together for the new day lodge we have opened today."
