FMC recently wrote in support of the proposed Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL) concession at Whakapapa skifield. See the submission here: 20151021 RAL Submission
RAL provide an important service to recreationalists at Whakapapa, including to many tramping and skiing clubs which have lodges at the skifield. The process to get to where the proposal is at has been a long one, and there is general relief amongst the outdoors community that it looks set to move forward. The hope is that RAL will shortly have the required certainty to invest in upgraded facilities.
The decision to have the form of concession as a licence, which gives no underlying land right, will help to guarantee public access to the skifield for other outdoor activities into the future. FMC signaled that any proposed restrictions to public access caused by evolving health and safety standards would be closely examined and resisted where necessary.
