Veteran skier not sloping off
An 82-year-old Wellingtonian now in his 50th season skiing Queenstown's Coronet Peak has a favourite saying: "You don't give up skiing when you get old, you get old when you give up skiing."
Neil Harrap, who's also been a voluntary ambassador on the slopes for some 18 years, says there are people who have skied more years than him, "but they're not up there every day".
Or almost every day.
Harrap, who rents a home, normally at nearby Arthurs Point, each winter, comes down within a day or two of opening day and stays all season.
Add in a month to six weeks every year at Snowbird, Utah, in the United States, where he's gone for 45 years, and he skis about 120 days a year.
Oddly, he didn't even learn to ski till he was 33.
"I wasn't into sports at all, and a friend talked me into coming down, and I thought, 'yeah, it sounds like a plan', and gave it a shot and just loved it from day one."
Explaining the infatuation, "I was just captured by the feeling of having wings on my feet, and you can do things on skis you can't do in real life — it's like magic, it's just incredible".
Harrap — who also got his ski instructor certification on Coronet in 1980 — says before snowmaking the season started about mid-July, "so they've got an extra month which is great".
"And they've opened up skiing to a lot more people, it was pretty much a male-dominated sport in the 1970s."
At that time, too, "it was pretty backward and some of the maintenance was pretty shoddy, but today it's a world-class operation, and I don't say that to please [skifield boss] Nigel [Kerr]".
Coronet's always his favourite local field — "it's got fantastic terrain, you know [ski/snowboarding film-maker] Warren Miller described it as a giant snowboard park, which is kind of what it is".
He shows guests around the skifield about once a week in his ambassador role — "I've asked for twice a week but I only get once a week most weeks".
The other week he took a group of four who, with the peak almost empty, only wanted to go fast.
"We really set the dogs loose, going as fast as I think I've skied up there."
Hardly the sign of someone slowing down just 'cos he's over 80.
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Otago Daily Times
09-08-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Veteran skier not sloping off
Neil Harrap's love of Coronet Peak's still undimmed in his 50th season. PHOTO: SUPPLIED An 82-year-old Wellingtonian now in his 50th season skiing Queenstown's Coronet Peak has a favourite saying: "You don't give up skiing when you get old, you get old when you give up skiing." Neil Harrap, who's also been a voluntary ambassador on the slopes for some 18 years, says there are people who have skied more years than him, "but they're not up there every day". Or almost every day. Harrap, who rents a home, normally at nearby Arthurs Point, each winter, comes down within a day or two of opening day and stays all season. Add in a month to six weeks every year at Snowbird, Utah, in the United States, where he's gone for 45 years, and he skis about 120 days a year. Oddly, he didn't even learn to ski till he was 33. "I wasn't into sports at all, and a friend talked me into coming down, and I thought, 'yeah, it sounds like a plan', and gave it a shot and just loved it from day one." Explaining the infatuation, "I was just captured by the feeling of having wings on my feet, and you can do things on skis you can't do in real life — it's like magic, it's just incredible". Harrap — who also got his ski instructor certification on Coronet in 1980 — says before snowmaking the season started about mid-July, "so they've got an extra month which is great". "And they've opened up skiing to a lot more people, it was pretty much a male-dominated sport in the 1970s." At that time, too, "it was pretty backward and some of the maintenance was pretty shoddy, but today it's a world-class operation, and I don't say that to please [skifield boss] Nigel [Kerr]". Coronet's always his favourite local field — "it's got fantastic terrain, you know [ski/snowboarding film-maker] Warren Miller described it as a giant snowboard park, which is kind of what it is". He shows guests around the skifield about once a week in his ambassador role — "I've asked for twice a week but I only get once a week most weeks". The other week he took a group of four who, with the peak almost empty, only wanted to go fast. "We really set the dogs loose, going as fast as I think I've skied up there." Hardly the sign of someone slowing down just 'cos he's over 80.
Otago Daily Times
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- Otago Daily Times
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Crusader caps off meteoric rise with ABs call-up
By Joe Porter of RNZ Kyle Preston's inclusion in the All Blacks Rugby Championship squad has capped a meteoric rise for the Crusaders halfback who has no fear of scaling great heights. The 25-year-old is a roofer by trade and only stopped last year to give his dream of becoming a professional rugby player a real crack. The Tawa College player made his NPC debut for Wellington in 2023 before picking up his first Super Rugby Pacific gig with the Crusaders this year. Following a breakout year with the Super Rugby champions, he could possibly play his first test after being named in the All Blacks squad as injury cover. "It's funny," Preston said. "You don't really expect it (All Blacks call-up), but it's in the back of your mind if you're playing well. You hope to maybe see your name." There is no doubt his form for the Crusaders is what got Preston selected - but for the Wellingtonian, the move to Christchurch wasn't necessarily natural. "It was a massive call for me. I've never lived out of Wellington. "So to make the move down to Christchurch was a pretty big decision. Obviously, I'm super glad that I made the move. It was good to just get out the comfort zone and be in a new environment, a new city. "I really enjoyed it down there." Preston believes playing in a title-winning team and behind a strong Crusaders forward pack helped his All Blacks cause. "For sure. There's rich history in that club and a lot of good players down there. So to be able to get a chance to play for them helps with the exposure. I was probably getting a few more minutes than I would have if I stayed up here (Wellington)." Preston, who has signed with the Crusaders to the end of the 2027 season, has a strong kicking game and he believes that is one of his points of difference. "I kick off both feet and I think on the field it helps relieve a little bit of pressure through games. So, yeah, I guess that's an asset for me." Another asset is his fitness. During pre-season, he set a Crusaders bronco record (a fitness test measuring endurance and speed) of 4 minutes and 13 seconds. "I definitely do a little bit better in fitness test than some others. But rugby is completely different, fitness wise, than just running. So that's not all I'm going to be able to rely on." His background as a roofer helped him develop a strong work ethic and the importance of keeping his body in shape. "It's a cool trade," Preston said. "I'm a man who likes to be up on the roof and and doing things actively. It is pretty tough on the body, though. Trying to juggle rugby and roofing was a bit tough." Though it's a trade he'd be happy to go back to when he's done with rugby. "Thankfully I was able to finish my apprenticeship at the start of last year before it all kind of kicked off (his professional rugby career). So I'll keep that in the back pocket for after the career." - RNZ
