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Tuesday 05 March 2024
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RAL

Tūroa goes conditional, but Whakapapa bidder withdraws 5th February 2024 /

Tūroa goes conditional, but Whakapapa bidder withdraws

The company says it is “very hopeful” of DOC and government approval for the deal, which will see it take over Tūroa ski field.


RAL generates $22m in 2023, but another dispute lands in court 29th January 2024 /

RAL generates $22m in 2023, but another dispute lands in court

The beleaguered operator returns to profit as the deadline looms for submissions on Tūroa’s future, which includes $32m in proposed upgrades.


RSSA calls for new govt to halt RAL asset sale 6th November 2023 /

RSSA calls for new govt to halt RAL asset sale

The community-led group says RAL staff have been given final notice and asset seizures started.


RAL receivers appointed 1st November 2023 /

RAL receivers appointed

The government has appointed two insolvency practitioners from Calibre Partners as the receivers of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts.


Govt stumps up $7m more for Ruapehu ski as clouds loom over ownership 3rd October 2023 /

Govt stumps up $7m more for Ruapehu ski as clouds loom over ownership

“We’re looking at a situation where we’re almost exactly the same position we were in last year,” warns RAL liquidator John Fisk.


Perspectives: Reimagining Mt Ruapehu as more than a snow sports destination 28th September 2023 /

Perspectives: Reimagining Mt Ruapehu as more than a snow sports destination

Skiing and snowboarding have long been privileged activities but it is time to recognise Mt Ruapehu as a place of cultural and geological wonder.


RAL marks “bittersweet” 70th anniversary 28th August 2023 /

RAL marks “bittersweet” 70th anniversary

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts is marking its 70th platinum anniversary on Friday 1 September with a $70 adult weekday pass.


RAL to pay $433k reparations for fatal ski bus crash 24th August 2023

RAL to pay $433k reparations for fatal ski bus crash

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts has been ordered to pay just over $433,094 for operating buses that were improperly maintained with poorly trained drivers, which led to a fatal crash.


RAL discounts ski passes to encourage longer stays 17th August 2023 /

RAL discounts ski passes to encourage longer stays

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts is discounting its Long Weekend access pass to encourage more visitors to spend longer at the ski fields.


RAL restarts learning programmes 14th August 2023

RAL restarts learning programmes

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts is resuming its learning and development programmes held on the mountain following a strong start to the season and a deep snow base.


Storm blast gives Mt Ruapehu ski a lift 28th July 2023 /

Storm blast gives Mt Ruapehu ski a lift

A decent dump of snow will allow Mt Ruapehu’s ski fields to open more of their lifts this weekend.


RTOs, operators listed as RAL creditors 26th July 2023 /

RTOs, operators listed as RAL creditors

A small number of operators and regional tourism organisations have been listed as creditors of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts.


Strong school holidays for Ruapehu ski fields 17th July 2023 /

Strong school holidays for Ruapehu ski fields

Snow conditions at Whakapapa and Tūroa ski fields are contributing to a strong finish to the July school holidays.


Ruapehu visitors urged to book ski passes online 10th July 2023 /

Ruapehu visitors urged to book ski passes online

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts is urging visitors to the Whakapapa and Tūroa ski fields to book online or call into Torpedo7 to pick up their passes this season.


Selling in uncertainty: RAL fires up marketing in late push of ski season 5th July 2023 /

Selling in uncertainty: RAL fires up marketing in late push of ski season

It hasn’t been an ideal opening but the operator is focused on moving season passes in compressed two-week campaign.


Ruapehu ski fields open, season passes available today 3rd July 2023 /

Ruapehu ski fields open, season passes available today

Season passes for Whakapapa and Tūroa ski fields on Mt Ruapehu are slated to be available from 1pm today for a two-week period.


Govt buys time for Ruapehu ski with $5m, iwi bidder comes forward 27th June 2023 /

Govt buys time for Ruapehu ski with $5m, iwi bidder comes forward

Ngāti Tūwharetoa joins Whakapapa Holdings and Pure Tūroa in the race for RAL’s ski assets.


Wednesday Letter: Back where we should have been with RAL – preparing to clear the deck 21st June 2023 /

Wednesday Letter: Back where we should have been with RAL – preparing to clear the deck

It was high noon at the watershed meeting on Tuesday, with creditors managing to shoot themselves in the foot.


RAL goes into liquidation after creditors reject bids, sale still possible 21st June 2023 /

RAL goes into liquidation after creditors reject bids, sale still possible

A liquidation process will begin today with a sale of RAL’s ski operations still possible.


“Govt should be involved” – PM on ownership of Ruapehu ski fields 20th June 2023 /

“Govt should be involved” – PM on ownership of Ruapehu ski fields

Creditors meet today for a vital vote on the future of RAL’s ski operations.


Ski industry keen for Mt Ruapehu solution 19th June 2023 /

Ski industry keen for Mt Ruapehu solution

The Ski Areas Association New Zealand [SAANZ] has expressed its support for a solution that ensures both Whakapapa and Tūroa ski areas can operate this season and beyond.


RAL administrators recommend liquidation, sale to preferred bidders 15th June 2023 /

RAL administrators recommend liquidation, sale to preferred bidders

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts’ voluntary administrators have recommended the liquidation of the operator and the sale of its two ski fields to the preferred bidders.


Whakapapa to be sold for $1, govt to own 25% – preferred bidder 14th June 2023 /

Whakapapa to be sold for $1, govt to own 25% – preferred bidder

Whakapapa Holdings Limited reveals its plans for the ski field, season passes, and lifetime pass holders.


And then there were two… RAL ski fields to go to separate bidders 13th June 2023 /

And then there were two… RAL ski fields to go to separate bidders

But the bidding process is criticised for creating “a false sense of urgency” to push a deal through.


RAL administrators burn through $6.6m to keep operations alive 7th June 2023 /

RAL administrators burn through $6.6m to keep operations alive

Wages have been the biggest expense and their own bill racks up too as a solution is sought.


Tūroa bidder outlines vision for USX-listed ski operation 24th May 2023 /

Tūroa bidder outlines vision for USX-listed ski operation

A bidder for one of Ruapehu’s ski fields plans a capital raise of up to $12m and a USX listing to help fund the operation.


RAL ski fields bidder questions due process after report of preferred buyers 12th May 2023

RAL ski fields bidder questions due process after report of preferred buyers

Former RAL boss Dave Mazey is understood to be involved in one of the bids.


Ruapehu stakeholders push co-governance structure for new operator 8th May 2023 /

Ruapehu stakeholders push co-governance structure for new operator

The group behind a community effort to take ownership of Ruapehu’s ski fields has unveiled its proposed structure.


Iwi keen to work with Ruapehu ski field stakeholders on sale 1st May 2023 /

Iwi keen to work with Ruapehu ski field stakeholders on sale

Iwi Ngāti Rangi wants to work closely with stakeholders on the operation and potential sale of Mt Ruapehu skifield operations.


RAL bidders put the call out for support 24th April 2023 /

RAL bidders put the call out for support

A community-based group bidding to take over Ruapehu Alpine Lifts’ ski operations has put the call out for support.


Rainy day, capital funds mooted in community-based bid for Ruapehu ski 17th April 2023 /

Rainy day, capital funds mooted in community-based bid for Ruapehu ski

The bid hopes to raise funding from RAL life pass holders, ski club members and the local community.


$1k settlement fee for RAL lifepass holders canvassed 23rd March 2023 /

$1k settlement fee for RAL lifepass holders canvassed

A new survey aims to gauge whether Ruapehu lifepass holders would be willing to pay $1,000 for a one-time ‘settlement fee’ to reactivate their pass if a new entity or a revived Ruapehu Alpine Lifts is established.


As season passes are prepped, the govt’s initial plan to save skiing at Mt Ruapehu is revealed 3rd March 2023 /

As season passes are prepped, the govt’s initial plan to save skiing at Mt Ruapehu is revealed

A new entity owned by Ruapehu Alpine Lifts life pass members and Sky Waka bondholders was the government’s preferred solution to save skiing at Mt Ruapehu after the operator went into voluntary administration.


RAL sets guest, income targets for 2023 winter 8th February 2023 /

RAL sets guest, income targets for 2023 winter

But the voluntary administrators say season pass promotion is on hold due to uncertainty over the future of ski at Mt Ruapehu.


Ruapehu mayor welcomes ski fields support 8th December 2022

Ruapehu mayor welcomes ski fields support

Ruapehu Mayor Weston Kirton says the government’s decision to provide an additional $6m to Ruapehu Alpine Lifts’ ski operations is a vital lifeline for the region.


Govt throws $6m lifeline to RAL ski fields 7th December 2022

Govt throws $6m lifeline to RAL ski fields

The funding allows more time to find a long-term solution for the ski fields and enables them to open next winter.


Community group touts crowdfunding up to $30m to save Mt Ruapehu skifields 6th December 2022

Community group touts crowdfunding up to $30m to save Mt Ruapehu skifields

Crowdfunding is being touted as the a viable option to save Mt Ruapehu’s skifields from closure.


RAL life pass holders launch petition 24th November 2022

RAL life pass holders launch petition

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts life pass holders have launched a petition to encourage the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment to engage more closely with community about the future of the Mt Ruapehu’s ski fields.


150 trade creditors owed nearly $1m by RAL 22nd November 2022

150 trade creditors owed nearly $1m by RAL

The trade creditors collectively comprise the fourth largest group owed money by the beleaguered ski field operator.


RAL life pass holders scoped for $2.5k fee plus annual $250 levy 21st November 2022

RAL life pass holders scoped for $2.5k fee plus annual $250 levy

The govt and ANZ would write off $28m in debt if a new entity can be created to take over RAL’s operations.


RAL secures $4m emergency loan from MBIE, ANZ 1st November 2022

RAL secures $4m emergency loan from MBIE, ANZ

An emergency loan of $4m has been provided to Ruapehu Alpine Lifts to allow it to prepare for next year’s ski season.


Perspectives: RAL and the uncertain future of snow sports 27th October 2022 /

Perspectives: RAL and the uncertain future of snow sports

The operator’s troubles underscore the volatility of commercial ski businesses as climate change accelerates.


Ruapehu Alpine Lifts owes $44.3m – report 21st October 2022

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts owes $44.3m – report

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts owes $44.3m, according to a report from the voluntary administrators.


Iwi should have been consulted on RAL – Ngāti Rangi 13th October 2022

Iwi should have been consulted on RAL – Ngāti Rangi

Central North Island iwi Ngāti Rangi says it should have been consulted on Ruapehu Alpine Lifts’ move to voluntary administration.


Wednesday Letter: RAL can’t just blame Covid, weather – it’s time to end the paralysis 12th October 2022 /

Wednesday Letter: RAL can’t just blame Covid, weather – it’s time to end the paralysis

The operator has been plagued by infighting and a legacy structure that hampered it when action was needed most.


RAL goes into voluntary administration 12th October 2022

RAL goes into voluntary administration

Covid disruption and a particularly poor season this year places the operator under significant cashflow pressure.


Snow arrives for RAL but path ahead unclear 7th September 2022 /

Snow arrives for RAL but path ahead unclear

There’s clear weather ahead following snow on its ski fields but the future of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts appears as murky as ever.


Ruapehu’s rumblings help drive ski pass sales – RAL 10th June 2022 /

Ruapehu’s rumblings help drive ski pass sales – RAL

Operating on an active volcano has presented both challenges and opportunities for the company.


RAL open to selling Tūroa to plug $31m debt hole 18th January 2022 /

RAL open to selling Tūroa to plug $31m debt hole

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts says it will consider unbundling assets after two Covid-impacted seasons hit income.


Life pass holders put brakes on RAL restructuring 3rd December 2021 /

Life pass holders put brakes on RAL restructuring

A plan to restructure meets resistance from life pass holders worried they will lose privileges.