REINER Vollert says his return to the ski slopes after more than 20 years was tough but worthwhile. Photo: Paul charman
A returned missionary to Africa, Reiner Vollert, spent most of his younger years chasing thrills on the ski slopes of the eastern United States and Europe.
While dining at the home he shares with his wife, Justine, I was among guests who lapped up Reiner’s skiing stories.
The 74-year-old German-American couldn’t have crammed more into his skiing career, but it all ended with one big regret.
“I’d love to top it off by skiing just once in the Southern Hemisphere,” the Te Kūiti resident sighed.
Last week I shared this with some folks at MtRuapehu.com, who generously agreed to sponsor a kind of a “make a wish for seniors”, in the shape of sponsoring some gear and lift passes for the elderly couple.
With this season’s snow fast receding, last Friday was chosen as the big day.
Thanks to a “guardian angel” we managed to get Reiner up and down the mountain in one piece that Black Friday. But before the sordid details, some background.
Reiner began skiing in the state of Pennsylvania, aged about 15.
He discovered a snowy hill on public land near the little town of Matamoras, which he and friends would repetitively hike to the top of, to earn just a few brief seconds of adrenalin rush.
Years went by, and the family bought a holiday home in Vermont. This was the base from which Reiner armed himself with better gear and began frequenting ski resorts of the eastern United States.
One was Mount Snow, where he and his buddy cracked the big one: they skied the most advanced (black diamond) run there, scorching from the top to the bottom of the mountain in about 20 minutes.
After joining the US Airforce, Reiner got himself transferred to a base in Bavaria where he spent weekends and holidays on the ski slopes of Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Upon his return from overseas, he stuck to his passion. He was based in Michigan where he eventually became a ski instructor. He skied extensively in the US, making his way as far west as Idaho, and in Canada.
Life held many ups-and-downs but following a spiritual awakening, Reiner began spending his time with Christians, one of whom was eventually to become his Kiwi wife. He met Justine via the internet.
Justine picks up the story:
“Reiner came to New Zealand after three years corresponding online. I tried to put him off because I had four children and I knew he didn’t have any and they could be a bit unruly. But anyway, he came over and the kids fell in love with him, and he fell in love with the kids.”
Reiner went home, packed up and returned to New Zealand, where the couple were married in 2004.
They shifted to Taumarunui which was a hot bed of Christian activity in those days, with the churches in town combining in a prayer meeting, which ran 24/7. During this time, Justine said they got a call from God to go to Africa as missionaries.
They sold up their house and headed for Tanzania.
Working for a Candian-based mission, they set up an orphanage there, then a second one in Ghana. They then travelled to southern Sudan to work at a mission station, Justine teaching and Reiner working at a Missionary Aviation airfield.
“I’ll never forget my time in Africa; the people have so little, but they are so happy.
“Here we are always praying for something to own like a house or a car. Over there, they get up each day and simply thank God for another day of life,” Justine said.
Retiring from the mission field a few years ago, Justine and Reiner bought a house and settled in Te Kūiti, where they have been active in various forms of ministry ever since.
Back to the doings of Black Friday, we got Reiner fitted out well enough, but totally mucked up his reintroduction to the snow.
Rather than starting him off on the modest learner slopes below the Knoll Ridge Cafe (2020 metres above sea level) we directed him to the Knoll Ridge T bar, which rises another 900m.
Reiner disappeared up the mountain and disaster struck; he found his ankle muscles couldn’t control the skies, making the trip down a series of crashes.
Then appeared Reiner’s guardian angel, in the shape of a 50-year-old Taumarunui snowboarder named Andy Smith.
“We explained that our friend looked to be in trouble and Andy took off after him, eventually helping him to his feet, and shepherding him all the way back down the mountain.”
Reiner said he’d been put on his backside at least half a dozen times.
“But I don’t care, it was worth it,” he said. “I always wanted to ski in the Southern Hemisphere and that’s what I’ve done now.
“I’m glad – this has been a great gift, and boy am I thankful to Andy. I reckon it will be my last time, probably another six months and I won’t be up to it. But no regrets – it was a great experience.”
