May 2, 2025

A record for possibly the latest Bunkum # 1 ever produced - my apologies!  We haven't been idle however, the club committee has already met a number of times and planning for this year is well underway.  The good news is that, confirmed yesterday, Whakapapa Holdings Limited will be the new operator of  Whakapapa, having been granted a 10 year concession by DoC.  We have some certainty at last - now it's full steam ahead for us!

We're looking for new members!  It can't be denied - the last few years have been difficult. Covid, uncertainty on the mountain, and some less than spectacular snow cover, has had its effect on the club membership.  We need new members to keep the club viable in the future. Our best advertisers are current and past members - please tell your friends about the best club on the mountain! 

We've made some changes to our membership and accommodation rates this year that will appeal to families with young children - kids under 10 pay no subscription fee, and kids under 8 stay for free!  So please spread the word - info on joining, along with a link to our application form, can be found here.

Subscription invoices will be sent out over the next few weeks. Please let me know asap if your, or your family's membership details have changed. Are your juniors still juniors? Do you have family members that are in tertiary education and could benefit from Tertiary membership? Are last year's Tertiary members still eligible? Maybe you're eligible for Veteran status? (60 or over with 15+ years affiliation with the club)  It saves a lot of time if this info is processed before invoices are generated.

As per previous years, access to the booking system becomes active once you've paid your subs in full.  Please be aware that you are able to pay your subs by instalment if you wish.  No special arrangements need to be made, simply pay what you can, when you can - once you have reached the full amount your access will be activated.

The Booking System will be unavailable while invoices are being generated, and will open again in early June to members who have paid their 2025 subs.  If you are planning an out-of-season stay at the lodge in the next couple of months, please contact Jenny, our Bookings Officer directly on bookings@skichristie.co.nz

The pre season Cleanup Work Party will be held on the weekend of June 28-29. This is where we give the lodge a comprehensive top to bottom clean and prepare for winter. Juniors are welcome. Remember, work party attendance exempts you from the Work Party levy in your annual subs – a saving of $200 per Senior member.  If you're interested, please let me know - membership@skichristie.co.nz

Our annual interclub race, The Christiania Derby, will be run a little differently this year.  We're joining with Rangatira Alpine Sports Club to run a combined Christiania Derby and Rangatira Alpine Trophy event, with the after match function to be held at Rangatira.  Details are still being finalised but the date has been confirmed - September 6

Organise a group event at Christie!  Last year we had a couple of very successful mid-week work group stays organised by club members - so successful they're coming back this year!  Treat a group of friends or workmates to a memorable few days in the snow - rates can be negotiated - contact Jenny at bookings@skichristie.co.nz

Lastly, a message to Life Pass Holders:  

Are you a holder of Life Pass that you no longer wish to use? 

As you know, with the demise of RAL, our old life passes are now virtually worthless. We won’t debate here the circumstances leading to that but rather focus on an opportunity that has arisen.

Season passes are about to go on sale and WHL, the successor to RAL, are offering a discounted 3 year season pass to RAL Life Pass Holders. The 2025 Winter Season Passes webpage says: "As we look forward with a focus on regeneration and to a new and improved Whakapapa, we also look back and acknowledge all of those who have contributed to Whakapapa as it stands today.  The Three-Year Pass is an offer dedicated to RAL Life Passholders or their nominee."  Total cost is $999 for 3 years, or a split payment of $499.50 for first two years.

We have already heard from existing members who will not take up the season pass discount and have offered the club their life passes so that other members can take up the offer. The committee supports this as an excellent idea for clubbies to get some continued value from what otherwise now has none. 
The committee does not wish to broker these exchanges, instead we're directing past and present members to the Christie Clubbies: Buy, Sell & Free Facebook group.  You'll need an active Facebook account.  Click the Join Group button, accept the T&Cs and, once your request has been approved, you'll be able to create an post letting other group members know your passes are available.

If you have any problems with this process please let me know - membership@skichristie.co.nz

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