All this cold weather is about to be worth it when Mt Ruapehu opens this Saturday, with great skiing and riding conditions across Turoa and Whakapapa ski fields.
Subaru drivers can look forward to some easy access fun on the slopes with 200 of the highest carparks booked out for them for the annual Top Weekend at Turoa on August 22 and 23.
While Subaru’s Top Weekend has been held intermittently for a decade, Subaru of New Zealand’s involvement with Ruapehu Alpine Lifts Limited (RAL) has meant the mountain has been meeting its match every winter for 17 years.
RAL runs the two commercial ski fields on Mt Ruapehu - Turoa and Whakapapa - and Subaru has been its official vehicle supplier since 1998, initially with Turoa, and now both Whakapapa and Turoa, following the merger.
RAL chief executive officer Dave Mazey says that the partnership has been a very strong and now long term relationship that has provided RAL with the perfect company vehicle for its management team.
“The Subaru brand complements our brand values associated with fun, active sports, family and safety which we promote to our dominant North Island-based customer.”
For him personally, this relationship has allowed him to continue driving a Subaru model that is perfect for the many journeys he undertakes on the alpine roads, which include accessing both the Whakapapa and Turoa ski areas.
“The Subaru AWD system provides greater control and security during the approximate 50,000km per year that I travel on the highways of the central North Island,” Mr Mazey says.
Recently he has been driving the Outback and XV models.
“To me they are both a lovely vehicle; very comfortable on the highway, exceptionally good when on snow or ice, and provide greater control when that unexpected circumstance requiring evasive action (nearly always caused by another vehicle one is sharing the road with) does occur,” Mr Mazey says.
Long before the ski fields open on June 27, RAL team members have been driving their Subaru vehicles up and down Mt Ruapehu and due to their vehicles’ Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive capabilities, they are able to continue doing their jobs on a day to day basis, no matter what weather the mountain throws at them.
The Whakapapa area manager Steve McGill has been driving a Subaru as his company vehicle for the last 8 to 10 years. During this time he has experienced all Subaru models and says he has been “impressed with them all.”
“My role means that I need to be able to get to the ski field no matter what the conditions are on the road. Up here, we experience heavy snow falls, extreme ice and severe gales and the Subaru All-Wheel-Drive has got me to work through all of these conditions every time,” Mr McGill says.
For Subaru NZ managing director Wallis Dumper the relationship with RAL is the ideal way to highlight how Subaru of New Zealand helps Kiwis get to where they need to work or play.
“The mountain really has met its match with our cars as whether you are driving them up the ski field to your office, or you are heading up for a fun day of skiing or riding with your friends, the Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive system ensures you will get there safely and in style,” Mr Dumper says.
Mr Dumper continues, “We have always promoted our boxer engine beauties to the snow enthusiasts and you need only to look in the carparks to spot how many Subaru drivers enjoy the invisible advantages of our engineering prowess, which saves all the hassles of chains and the like for the average weekend escape skier.”
THE SUBARU TOP WEEKEND
“Subaru have held the much-enjoyed Subaru Top Weekend, on and off for the last 10 plus years, where the top 200 carparks are reserved exclusively for the drivers and occupants of any model Subarufor one weekend over the winter season. We’re pleased to announce that we’re heading to Turoa this year for the weekend of August 22 – 23 to welcome our All-Wheel-Drive vehicles to the mountain,” said Mr Dumper.
Welcome to Mt Ruapehu
Mt Ruapehu allows visitors to experience New Zealand's two largest ski areas - with just one lift pass.
Mt Ruapehu - Whakapapa and Turoa Ski Areas - are home to the most awesome natural skiing and snowboarding terrain in the country; huge snow filled basins, lift accessed backcountry, steep chutes, drop-offs and secret powder stashes.
Mt Ruapehu offers something for everyone; fantastic learners'facilities, terrain parks for snowboarders and freeskiers of all abilities, and the best spring skiing and riding in New Zealand. For the littlies (and big ones too) in the family, you can play in the snowor enjoy the free tobogganing area, a kid's centre(Turoa only) and beginner packages.
Otherwise relax in cafesand enjoy the great food and coffee, or take a chairlift ride for elevated views across the Central North Island and beyond.
Make sure the mountain meets its match in you, with Subaru’s winter driving tips
Practice makes perfect. If you haven’t driven in winter weather for a while, find an empty, snow-covered parking lot and spend time accelerating, turning and stopping. After a few minutes of practice, you will have a better feel for how your vehicle will handle and you will be better prepared for driving in snowy conditions.
Getting started. Before you hit the road, clear snow and ice from every part of your car, not just the windows. Make sure the wiper blades aren’t frozen in place. If they are, turn on the engine and use the defroster and rear window defogger to release them. Using a windshield washer fluid with a de-icing agent will help, too.
If a door is frozen shut, don’t force it open – this can damage the rubber weather strip surrounding it. Try another door, perhaps one that is in the sunlight. As the vehicle warms up, check that the accelerator, brake pedal and other controls operate smoothly before heading out. Be sure your parking brake has released completely.
Maximise grip. Check the tyres are inflated to the correct pressures, have more than the road legal 1.5mm of tread and only use a space-saver in an emergency. Carry chains for use in snow (especially if you don’t own a Subaru), and practice fitting them beforehand.
Hitting the road. Winter driving conditions can affect your vehicle’s handling and braking ability, so take your time and drive conservatively. Press the accelerator slowly to get going.
As you pull into traffic, keep an 8- to 10-second gap between your vehicle and the one ahead of you – stopping distances increase in snowy and icy conditions, and the extra distance will give you extra time to react.
Watch for trouble as you drive. Stalled cars, patches of ice, poor visibility and snow-covered road signs and lane markers can make for challenging driving.
As you prepare to stop, slow down gradually, particularly as you approach intersections. Look out for pedestrians and cars approaching on side streets. If they’re having trouble stopping, you probably will, too. At lower speeds, you can use the engine to help you slow down by shifting into a lower gear.
Learn to read the road conditions. Black ice is tough to pick when it arrives in patches, but if there’s been overnight rain which has cleared to a frosty morning, think before you set out about what conditions this will mean on the roads.
If your car has an external temperature display that can be a panel-saver as it will indicate whether the road is likely to be frozen.
Remember too that even when it’s dry and the ice has gone, grit spread over a tarmac road can be like driving on marbles.
Show consideration. Driving in ice and snow is stressful, and a little common courtesy can go a long way. Letting cars into gaps in the traffic, easing back rather than ‘closing the gap’ when someone is changing lanes help to keep things moving. If the driver ahead is far more timid than you in poor conditions, just take a deep breath.
If you are driving a Subaru please understand that most cars do not have the Subaru invisible advantages!
Avoid distractions. Steering one-tonne or more of metal down a street or up a mountain is quite a responsibility, and it is a task deserving of your full attention. No texting or talking on your phone without a hands-free.
Subaru vehicles are particularly well suited for winter driving. The Subaru All-Wheel Drive system automatically transfers power from the wheels that slip, to the wheels that grip. This translates into enhanced control and traction.
Remember, if you need a reminder of why Subaru is the ideal match for the mountain, simply look in the carpark at Turoa or Whakapapa, or the vehicles that the RAL team drive. They are in Subaru for a reason!
To find out more visit: http://www.subaru.co.nz/ruapehu-alpine-lifts
CAPTIONS Subaru Top Weekend.jpg The Subaru Top Weekend in 2013, where owners of all models of Subarus enjoy using the top 200 carparks at Whakapapa ski field. PHOTO CREDIT: SUBARU OF NEW ZEALAND
Subaru and RAL 205.jpg Subaru of New Zealand has been the official vehicle supplier to Ruapehu Alpine Lifts since 1998, initially with Turoa, and now both Whakapapa and Turoa, following the merger. PHOTO CREDIT: ANJELICA SELIS
For further information, please contact Subaru of New Zealand Public Relations - Catherine Pattison (027) 4455 389 or email catherine.pattison@subaru.co.nz