Skiers at Whakapapa. From left to right - Wiilliam Mead, Ted Cole, William Salt, Bill Beatty, Chas Cooper.

1920

Salt and Downes built the first hut at Whakapapa (not far from where the Chateau now stands) – Whakapapa Hut – tramping and ski club members stayed in the hut.

1921

Salt builds a similar cottage on the south-west slopes of Ruapehu at the head of the Ohakune track.

1922

He was a founder member of the Tongariro National Park board and his tireless energy and enthusiasm was of material help in the development of the park as a national playground.

1923

Salt helps build the original Glacier Hut for the Ruapehu Ski Club at 5800 ft.

1924

Built the Springvale Suspension Bridge across the Rangitikei River on the Napier-Taihape road (previous to this, cars had to ford the river).

1929

William Salt died July 12th as a result of a truck accident on the lower slopes of Ruapehu near Karioi on July 6th.

1931

Salt Memorial Hut was built on upper Scoria Flat, 1550m (5080 ft) altitude. It was the only public shelter for 20 years, partly funded by funds left by Salt after his death.

1938

First ski tow in New Zealand was installed near Salt Hut – failed after a few hours and never worked again.

1942

Buildings at Whakapapa (including the Chateau) and Salt Hut were< placed under the jurisdiction of the Health Department during WWII and were not available to skiers.

1947

Ted Pearse built the first fixed ski tow in New Zealand – the Salt Run Tow.

1949 Tourist Department began using ex-army trucks to transport visitors to Salt Hut (these were known as “mountain goats” and the name still sticks).

1960

Salt Hut was closed.

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