Mount Ruapehu will cut one-third of its staff next week after a warm, wet winter led to one of its worst ski seasons in decades.
The influence of the weather system La Niña bringing a lack of snow has meant the slopes have been empty and parts of the ski fields have had to close.
Both ski areas Whakapapa and Tūroa on the mountain have received well below their average snowfall this season and have struggled to attract ski bunnies.
But the humid weather has not only impacted natural snowfall accumulation and retention but also limited the windows available for machine-made snow efforts.
This has limited terrain available for skiing and snowboarding, hampered operational progress, including lift openings, and resulted in fewer than forecast guest numbers, a spokesperson said.
The Tūroa ski field has fewer than five of its eight chair lifts operating at any one time and the ski field will remain temporarily closed until a minimum of 20-30cm snowfall.
At Whakapapa Ski Area only the Happy Valley and Sky Waka gondola are anticipated to stay open this season.
A Mount Ruapehu spokesperson said they have to rationalise efforts heading into the second half of the winter season and therefore are letting go of around 135 staff, with the largest impact seen at Tūroa.
"In the next week, we will say goodbye to around a third of our total team."
Some people impacted by the job cuts will either be moving to casual employment or looking for new work in the region.
The business is seeking support from the local community to help employ staff that want to stay on in the region.
"With great empathy for the position both the business and our people have found
ourselves in, due to factors outside of our control, the community has already started to
rally around those impacted, with offers of meals and discounted accommodation flowing in."
"Our operational teams have worked tirelessly with what they have had, which has been deeply and broadly appreciated by our community.
"We appreciate all the support and patience that the public has shown us in return. Late snowfall, and excellent spring skiing, are what Mt Ruapehu is known for."
