The 2010 season was probably the most challenging season the Rainbow team has had since the field re-opened under club ownership, but also had some notable successes and firsts. For any Rainbow skier or rider the challenges are easy to name: late snow, bad weather, mid-season closure, and then finally a storm that seemed to go on forever. The successes and firsts are probably a bit harder to spot, so here are some of them:

• The field opened on schedule on July 3rd and shut on the 8th October, with sixty-one open days - nearly as long as the amazing 2008 season
• The changeover of the T-Bar from noisy diesel engine to quiet electric motor went without a hitch, resulting in a smooth, quiet and reliable lift all winter
• We carried out more snow-making than in any previous season to augment our natural snow, with the crew making snow right through July and up as far as Tower 8 on the T-Bar
• Rainbow's new Kassbohrer PB300 Polar groomer made short work of the field grooming, reducing our daily grooming hours by half
• The snow conditions in late September & October were simply amazing as the Antarctic polar vortex loosened its grip on the cold polar air and temperatures dropped

Now, as we head into the summer and the days get longer and hotter, it's easy to focus on barbecues, boats, beaches and other warm weather pursuits. But as Rainbow loses it's mantle of snow, the scree and tussock start to poke through, and the winter staff head off to summer pursuits or over to the northern hemisphere, a bunch of dedicated volunteers are already starting to plan for the 2011 season. Here's a bit of what goes on ...

Starting during the season itself, the committee begins to plan for the summer's maintenance activities and reviews the club's strategic plans for development. Because Rainbow operates as a not-for-profit business, all surpluses are invested back into the field itself. In a good year this means that more development can follow, in a bad year we may have to scale back development projects and just focus on maintenance. So all of this goes into the mix and a list and budget for maintenance and development projects is agreed.

From about November onwards, a call goes out to members who have told us they want to help out over the summer. Our volunteers come from all walks of life, and bring a whole range of skills to the tasks we have to complete at the field. Everyone seems to be united by a love for the snow and a desire to see Rainbow succeed and grow. Work parties are held over summer on weekends, and sometimes during the week, and tackle projects ranging from painting and building maintenance through to work on the lifts and mechanical equipment. If you're interested in helping out, and you're not on our list already, then send an email to members@skirainbow.co.nz with your contact details.

Work parties generally continue through to the end of May, and then Rainbow winter staff take over early in June and finalise preparations for opening day. So, by the time you hit the slopes in July 2011 nearly nine months of preparation will have gone into getting the filed open and ready!