The snow was falling and Subarus were everywhere as Turoa ski field hosted another fantastic Subaru Top Weekend on August 22-23 at Mt Ruapehu.
An early start for Subaru owners paid off, as the top car parks reserved for them started filling up from 6:45am.
In record time, the top car parks at Turoa were filled up with Subarus by 8:30am on Saturday and 8.45am on Sunday, as the All Wheel Drives were waved up ahead of the long line waiting for lower car parks.
Subaru Top Weekend is an annual event held at one of the two Mt Ruapehu ski fields, in recognition of Subaru of New Zealand’s partnership with Ruapehu Alpine Lifts Limited (RAL), and enables Subaru drivers exclusive top car parks for the day.
“It sure is a good day to own a Subaru!” was the resounding compliment from drivers who were ecstatic to not only get a great park, but to receive a whole handful of freebies. They all appreciated the effort Subaru of New Zealand had made to ensure owners of its cars were taken care of.
Every Subaru driver or family received goodie bags, free hot drinks and a chance to experience it all over again by entering to win a free jacket and Mt Ruapehu passes in an exclusive Subaru competition.
The oldest Subaru in attendance, having done over 500,000km, was still driving like a dream according to the owner.
He was overheard telling a fellow Subaru owner that he would buy a 1985 Subaru Leone again tomorrow if he could. His assertion was that it was the best car he had ever owned and he wouldn’t want to own any other kind of car. It might be old but still gets him up the mountain every time, he says.
The yet-to-be released Subaru Levorg was an eye-catching part of the Subaru model display, with Subaru enthusiasts and the general public all interested in the high-spec, high-performance All Wheel Drive wagon, which will be available in New Zealand from July 2016.
Katie van Rijn (21), who is new to owning a Subaru, said buying her second-hand Legacy was the best decision she made.
“I go skiing quite a lot and struggled to get my gear in my old car as well as piling my friends in. This wagon lets me get everything in it or on it, as well as my friends and I definitely feel safer in the All Wheel Drive,” she says.
Her friends, much like all the other drivers in the top car park, were grateful for the short walk to the ski area so they could get straight onto the snow and make the most of the fantastic weather on Saturday. Although the clouds had come in and the wind had come up on Sunday, Subaru drivers were still all smiles and ready to go.
Thanks to RAL’s support over Top Weekend the two-day celebration of being a Subaru owner went off without a hitch.
Subaru of New Zealand is thrilled to confirm they will be up Mt Ruapehu again in winter, 2016, to ensure Subaru drivers can nab the top spots and enjoy the benefits of another Subaru Top Weekend.
THE FACTS: THE SUBARU TOP WEEKEND
Subaru Top Weekend is an annual event held in conjunction with Ruapehu Alpine Lifts Limited (RAL), who have been in partnership with Subaru of New Zealand for over 17 years.
Subaru is the official vehicle supplier to RAL, which runs the two commercial ski fields on Mt Ruapehu – Turoa and Whakapapa.
The Subaru Top Weekend allows Subaru drivers to have exclusive parking in the top 150 car parks closest to the ski area, as well as being treated to goodie bags and complimentary hot drinks. In addition they have the opportunity to win season passes/Subaru merchandise.
All Subaru vehicles no matter what year or model are welcomed and the environment created is one of comradery and appreciation.
The whole Subaru range is also on display for Subaru enthusiasts to enjoy and for the general public to find out more about why Subaru’s are for the greatest Subaru drivers in the world: New Zealanders.
To find our more about Subaru Top Weekend, click here.
Images by Paul Brunskill.
For further information, please contact Subaru of New Zealand Public Relations - Catherine Pattison (027) 4455 389