Rainbow sets a date for snow time

Anne Hardie

It will be all go in the snow on the fourth of July at Rainbow Ski Area as it kicks off the season with scanned passes, more shuttles and new features in its terrain park.

Marke Dickson is the new ski area manager and has returned to New Zealand after spending years on the tree-clad slopes of Canada. His arrival coincides with a few changes for the ski field, including a cellphone tower which he says is going to make it easier for everyone to stay connected.

“The local rural connectivity group worked hard to put a cell tower on the field, so we have strong mobile coverage across the ski field. Mum and Dad can sit in the café and call the kids up on the West Bowl. We’ll now be able to keep track of the kids through that cellphone coverage.”

Another big change is a card that can be loaded online and scanned at the lifts. “When they come to Rainbow, they don’t have to line up to buy a ticket. It’s Rainbow taking the best systems from elsewhere, but we’ll do it a little bit differently and do it the Rainbow way. We’ll scan the plastic passes when they come up to the lift. But instead of gates, there will be people with a smiling face.”

Getting up the mountain in a shuttle is also going to be easier as people no longer have to book ahead for limited times because the shuttles will be doing a continuous circuit.

“The road is pretty darn good, but some people just want to sit and relax on the shuttle. Now guests can arrive at the bottom of the access road and pay as they board. Our intention is that we will have shuttles rolling around through the day, so you don’t have to wait too long. That gives people flexibility, and they know they don’t have to arrive at a certain time.”

No-one will be going up on Tuesdays though as Marke says that day is usually less busy so the ski field is trialling a new operating model. If there is a good bed of snow through the season, that could change though, he says.

In the terrain park, new features this season include one that is coincidentally called a rainbow rail.

While for non-skiers, there will be more focus on creating a snow play area beside the carpark for people who just want to have fun in the snow, providing the snow is deep enough.

Water filtration units have been installed and water issues on the access road fixed, all thanks to a long list of generous supporters, Marke says.

“It’s amazing to me how engaged and passionate people are about the Rainbow operation. I’m excited about the opportunity here because Rainbow is so focused on community. I’ve been involved with much bigger complexes, so coming back to this is exciting.”

He is confident the snow will be there by opening day, with time to establish a good snowmaking base and westerly weather forecast for the season which suits Rainbow.

“I think the signs are pretty good.”