Subaru drivers can look forward to the annual Subaru Top Weekend at Turoa ski field – locked in for August 19 and 20 – where they can enjoy some easy access fun on the slopes.
Two hundred of the top carparks will be reserved exclusively for the drivers and occupants of any model Subaru, making a weekend of skiing, boarding or playing in the snow even more appealing.
Subaru of New Zealand’s Managing Director Wallis Dumper says: “Subaru have held the much-appreciated Subaru Top Weekend, intermittently for the last 12-plus years, for one weekend over the winter season. Our team will be on-site to treat the first 200 Subaru drivers to hot beverages and giveaways on arrival. We’re looking forward to welcoming Subaru drivers to Turoa this year for the weekend of August 19 and 20 and always enjoy seeing our All-Wheel Drive vehicles parked up in a premium spot on the mountain.”
Turoa and Whakapapa’s upper mountain opened on July 1 and by August there is bound to be plenty of snow across both Ruapehu Alpine Lifts’ (RAL) two commercial ski fields.
Subaru of New Zealand’s long-standing involvement with RAL has meant that Subarus have been the mountain’s official vehicles for almost 20 years. The partnership began in 1998, initially with Turoa, and now with both Whakapapa and Turoa, following the merger.
RAL Chief Executive Officer Ross Copland says, “We’ve enjoyed a great partnership with Subaru over a long period of time. Subaru’s All-Wheel Drive technology is perfect for mountain roads and they handle our conditions extremely well. Subaru drivers tend to love the great outdoors so the Subaru Top Weekend is an ideal event to reward them with the top parks to maximise their time on the snow.”
Mr Dumper says the relationship with RAL sees a fleet of Subarus on duty at the two ski fields all year around.
“The Subaru/RAL partnership is the ideal way to showcase the incredible Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD) advantages our Subarus possess, on the two ski fields. You need only to look in the RAL ski field carparks to spot how many Subaru drivers enjoy the invisible advantages of our AWD engineering prowess, which spreads the driving force across all four wheels meaning greater control. In layman’s terms AWD, saves Subaru drivers all the hassles of chains that 2WD vehicle drivers experience, when conditions get slippery. From the wheels that slip to the wheels that grip!”
“Our cars are designed to get drivers up the mountain in whatever the weather, because regardless of whether it is staff members heading up the ski field to the RAL office, or skiers and boarders destined for a fun day on the slopes with their friends, the across the new Subaru range five-star safety rating helps deliver them there safe and sound. Don’t forget, if you are driving from Auckland or Wellington or anywhere in between, it’s not just the ski field access road trip to consider, but also negotiating winter driving conditions on all the highways and bi-ways in between,” Mr Dumper says.
He adds that Subaru has always promoted its Boxer-engined models to snow enthusiasts and the latest offerings will only add to the number of Subarus on route to ski fields.
“We now have our sharply-priced super-safe Subaru Impreza 2.0 Sport ($29,990) on sale in Subaru Authorised Dealerships and although this is our smallest model, it is every inch an AWD Subaru.”
“Our all-new SUV the Subaru XV, which we recently launched, is bound to be popular with Kiwis wanting to head out of the city to the slopes in a stylish small SUV that is value-packed with great tech, safety and entertainment features in a grunty two litre ” Mr Dumper says.
CAPTIONS: These images were taken at the 2016 Subaru Top Weekend at Turoa ski field.
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 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 snow or enjoy the free tobogganing area, a kid's centre (Turoa only) and beginner packages. Otherwise, relax in cafes and enjoy the great food and coffee, or take a chairlift ride for elevated views across the Central North Island and beyond.
To find out more visit: https://www.subaru.co.nz/ambassador/ruapehu-alpine-lifts
Subaru Public Relations
Catherine Pattison
T +64 27 455 389
E catherine.pattison@subaru.co.nz