As a former competitive snowboarder and instructor, and later a researcher of snow sports, I've been lucky to enjoy ski resorts around the world. But nothing compares to Mount Ruapehu on a good day.

Ruapehu eruption remembered 30 years on (3 min 50 sec) Thirty years ago on Tuesday, Mount Ruapehu exploded in spectacular fashion, triggering headlines overseas and a somewhat haphazard emergency ...