When the original Knoll Ridge Café was constructed and extended in the 1980’s, the old chairlift return was located 12 metres above it’s current location. With the installation of the Express chair, people now had to climb two sets of stairs to reach the main level, something not overly easy to do in ski boots.
“Twenty five years on, we have a better environmental understanding” says Dave Mazey, Ruapehu Alpine Lifts General Manager. The old café has a large visual impact looking up the mountain and a lot of the building was wasted with stair space.
Café seating in one entry level, easy skier access from the Express and Valley T-Bar were important reasons for the new design. Combine these two essentials with the desire to maximize the sun, while taking in views of the Pinnacles, Te Heu Heu Valley and across the ski field with an effective linkage of inside and outside spaces with extensive decks.
The new location is 50 metres downhill of the old site on the edge of the western bluff. Most of the building is one the main level with toilets and staff facilities below. The impressive 400 seat café reflects the changes in the way we use the ski area over the past 20-30 years. With the increases in snowmaking people can more freely move up and down the mountain all season, hence the decision to shift the equivalent seats to the road end.
Part of the redevelopment plan includes an extension to the Top of the Bruce café facilities and a larger retail space. “These decisions reflect the cultural and environmental considerations – to have smaller facilities higher up the mountain” says Mr. Mazey. “The new design is aimed at lowering the visual impact of the facilities. It will be a better building” he continues.
The new groomer shed is set to go below the Valley T-Bar drive station and is also in a new location from the destroyed original. This new location gives back what is great piste area and takes the shed out of the way and doesn’t take up any ski terrain.
At 30-40% smaller than the original shed, serious consideration was given to the placement, size and layout of the new building. It was even questioned if a facility was required at such an altitude, but it was decided that situating such a facility down the mountain would be impractical and access would be too restrictive with skiers and boarders using the area too.
