Ski areas in New Zealand are currently battling weather conditions that have forced two ski areas that had opened for the season to close again and others to delay opening until things get more wintery, but the country's largest resort Mt Ruapehu, is facing greater problems than the weather.
The centre, which claims to be the biggest in New Zealand by combing the ski stats of neighbouring but unliked
Turoa and Whakapapa ski fields, went into voluntary administration at the end of last winter, owing $45m (NZ) after pandemic seasons were followed by a winter with very little natural snow cover.
It had been hoped that offers by two parties to take on the two ski fields as separate ski areas for the 2023 season, expected to start imminently, were a way forward, but a meeting of creditors failed to agree to the two new operators taking over or to any alternative plan. As a result the centre's operators, Ruapehu Alpine Lifts, have now gone into liquidation.
The High Court has appointed PWC's John Fisk and Richard Nacey as liquidators who now need to try to sell the assets and deliver a future for the resort with the next few days and weeks seen as crucial.
"The time is ticking and we need to be able to give certainty to everyone, so that the season can open, and if the season doesn't open, then unfortunately one season closed probably means that it won't ever open again," John Fisk told local media.
However the neighbouring ski areas were thrown a $5m (NZ) lifeline by the government at the weekend when ministers stepped in to ensure the centre opens this season at least.
Regional Development Minister Kiri Allan said the Government will provide up to $5 million to the liquidators to ensure the mountain's 2023 ski season can go ahead.
"We've always been committed to finding a way to ensure the ski season on Mount Ruapehu goes ahead this year. Cabinet's decision today has solidified that," she said.
Ruapehu is estimated to generate 10% of the economy of the central North Island generating around $100 million per year and supporting hundreds of jobs.