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Whakapapa Ski Patrol
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People DepictedMurray Reedy
DescriptionNeil O'Neil (Ski Partoller in red jacket) talking to Murray Reedy (in the middle).
From Murray Reedy:
Ski Patrol services at Whakapapa Ski Field were initially provided by volunteer members of the resident Ski Clubs under the aegis of the Ruapehu Mountain Clubs Association. This arrangement commenced in 1952. During the 1950's and 1960's It developed further under the guidance of L.D. Bridge and other capable volunteer leaders into an autonomous organisation . ref W Mark (1986) for a comprehensive study on this topic. National Park Rangers oversaw arrangements for ski safety services at times when volunteers were not present. In the late 1960's the daily number of visitors to the ski field began to exceed the capacity of Rangers and available volunteers on holidays and mid week rosters. By 1972 this presented a dilemma for both parties when mid-week visitor numbers began to exceed weekend visitor numbers. in 1973 it was decided to bolster the mid week capacity of the Rangers. Two full time ski safety staff were engaged to support the Ranger effort and oversee new safety procedures, this number was increased proportionately in subsequent years. By 1984 advances in uphill lift capacity and skifield expansion warranted a fully professional Ski Patrol to handle mid week rosters while volunteers continued to bolster the overall safety services effort. In 1986 Ruapehu Alpine Lifts took over full responsibility for ski safety services at Whakpapa Ski Field. The era of Rangers as professional ski patrollers was over.PhotographerBarbara Thomson
DescriptionNeil O'Neil (Ski Partoller in red jacket) talking to Murray Reedy (in the middle). From Murray Reedy:
Ski Patrol services at Whakapapa Ski Field were initially provided by volunteer members of the resident Ski Clubs under the aegis of the Ruapehu Mountain Clubs Association. This arrangement commenced in 1952. During the 1950's and 1960's It developed further under the guidance of L.D. Bridge and other capable volunteer leaders into an autonomous organisation . ref W Mark (1986) for a comprehensive study on this topic. National Park Rangers oversaw arrangements for ski safety services at times when volunteers were not present. In the late 1960's the daily number of visitors to the ski field began to exceed the capacity of Rangers and available volunteers on holidays and mid week rosters. By 1972 this presented a dilemma for both parties when mid-week visitor numbers began to exceed weekend visitor numbers. in 1973 it was decided to bolster the mid week capacity of the Rangers. Two full time ski safety staff were engaged to support the Ranger effort and oversee new safety procedures, this number was increased proportionately in subsequent years. By 1984 advances in uphill lift capacity and skifield expansion warranted a fully professional Ski Patrol to handle mid week rosters while volunteers continued to bolster the overall safety services effort. In 1986 Ruapehu Alpine Lifts took over full responsibility for ski safety services at Whakpapa Ski Field. The era of Rangers as professional ski patrollers was over.
PhotographerBarbara ThomsonLinks
PersonMurray ReedyPlaceIwikau Village and Whakapapa Ski FieldNZ National ParkTongariro National Park
PlaceIwikau Village and Whakapapa Ski FieldNZ National ParkTongariro National ParkAdmin
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Whakapapa Ski Patrol. National Parks and Reserves Rangers Archive, accessed 20/06/2026, https://parkrangersnz.recollectcms.com/nodes/view/65