We officially opened our funicular rail passenger carrier to the Ski Area on Saturday 25th July. It was a unforgettable day for the 150 plus guests with a warm, sunny, cloudless day and 35 cms of fresh powder snow.The snow and sun gods were certainly looking after us!
Our Ski Club President Ian Storer welcomed everyone down at the main car park at the bottom of the new passenger lift. He made note of how great it is that Broken River Ski Area is now more accessible to visitors. Ian talked about the tenacity, dedication and hard work of the Club members involved in the passengerisation project and the long suffering “Goods Lift widows” at home. He emphasised that Broken River Ski Club should be proud of what has been achieved and be proud that the Club has skilled members, such as those involved in this project, who have chosen to be part of this Ski Club.
Founding member, Patron Leith Newell talked about the tremendous amount of work undertaken in this project and noted how it was yet another example of the dedication and effort that club members put into Broken River Ski Club. Leith contrasted the 4-minute ride on the passenger lift with the early days when members walked from the State Highway 73. She recalled the first ski trip into Broken River in July 1951. The group took all day to walk from the main road up through the forest reaching their future ski basin at 4 pm.They had a few slides before walking back out in the dark without torches.
The passenger lift was officially opened by Club member and past President Arthur Tyndall who designed this unique lift and was instrumental in getting the project underway. Arthur, of Tyndall and Hanham, unveiled the name plaque and was surprised to discover that lift was named the “Tyndall Tramway”. Art’s first comment was “Oh … I didn’t deserve this” and then went on to say “We’ve got a great Broken River family here – I did it for you guys because it’s a great Club.”
Art Tyndall unveils the official name of our new passenger carrier - photo Trudi Dickson
The Club’s President, Patron, Art Tyndall, and some of the team involved in the project, had the first 4-minute ride on the lift up through the snow-covered trees to the ticket office and accommodation lodges.
Dignatories take first official ride of the Tyndall Tramway - photo John Newell
Celebrations continued on up at the ski field. Older members were flown by helicopter to Palmer Lodge to join everyone for lunch. This group included two of the original 12 founding members, Leith Newell and Maurie Wright. There was a strong sense of “family” with a reunion of old friends and the coming together of the different generations within the same family. Several families were represented by three generations, including the Patron’s family, the Rogers, Haywards. The Womersley family was represented by 4 generations, ranging in age from Betty Womersley (88) to her great granddaughter Lily (5), and included two past New Zealand ski champions, Chris and Richard Womersley. Betty even brought her ski boots to ski with Lily!
Betty Womersley aged 88 on skis - photo Claire Newell
The day was a real Club celebration of the finest kind; fantastic weather, wonderful snow and great company with a great mix of both young and old Broken River Club members. What more could you ask for!
