Skiers not put off after Ruapehu eruption

Thousands of people have thrown caution to the wind and are enjoying a fine day on Mt Ruapehu despite the unexpected volcanic eruption just two days ago.
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Dale Becroft, a member of the Rotorua Ski Club, told NZPA the mountain was teeming with people.

"There's thousands out there."

Ms Becroft was speaking from the ski lodge based quite high on mountain on the Whakapapa side.

She said children who had been staying in the area during the eruption on Tuesday, just after 8.20pm, were now collecting volcanic rock that had been spewed from the crater.

"No-one's been put off at all. In fact there was quite a big queue this morning down the bottom at the second chair."

All chair lifts on the mountain except for the Far West Quay were operating.

The public has been warned to steer clear of the crater, but Ms Becroft said people were still hiking close to the rim and examining the lahars that were created after the eruption.

She said everybody knew the safety rules if there was another eruption, and she said as long as they respected the mountain they would be safe.

"With it being the school holidays it's been quite fascinating for the young ones," Ms Becroft said.

NZPA