Updated: 15 September 2023
Ski Mt Ruapehu, Get ready for a sensational spring!
Mt Ruapehu ski fields and the wider Central Plateau region are gearing up for a busy spring season with the school holidays and several drawcard events taking place over September and October.
Tūroa Ski Area’s reputation for having some of the best spring skiing conditions in the world has been cemented thanks to recent snowfall top-ups. The current snow base at Tūroa is 244cm on the upper mountain, tapering to 130cm on the lower slopes, while Whakapapa is holding at 135cm and 69cm, respectively. Both ski areas will run long through spring and are expected to close on October 23.
National Park Village is just a short drive to Whakapapa Ski Area, and the Sky Waka gondola boasts incredible views out across the Central Plateau and is excellent value for families, plus heaps of other activities from mountain biking to guided off-road quad bike rides.
There is still good accommodation availability over the weekend of October 7 in Ohakune for the Ohakune Blues & Roots Festival, combined with fantastic school holiday spring skiing at Tūroa. Visitors are encouraged to dust off their retro ski gear on September 30 for Ohakune’s annual Retro Day, celebrated at Tūroa Ski Area and the Ohakune Junction. The original retro ski celebration!
Updated: 28 August 2023
Mt Ruapehu is open and going off; the snow is the best for years. If you don’t believe us, watch the video from One News. We were at Whakapapa just last week and haven’t seen such conditions for a long time. The season will likely go through to Labour weekend, so you have plenty of time to visit Mt Ruapehu.
After what happened at the beginning of the season, this is excellent news for Mt Ruapehu.
Ski Mt Ruapehu, lots of snow - season open until Labour weekend
Updated: 16 August 2023
Updated: 15 September 2023
Ski Mt Ruapehu, Get ready for a sensational spring!
Mt Ruapehu ski fields and the wider Central Plateau region are gearing up for a busy spring season with the school holidays and several drawcard events taking place over September and October.
Tūroa Ski Area’s reputation for having some of the best spring skiing conditions in the world has been cemented thanks to recent snowfall top-ups. The current snow base at Tūroa is 244cm on the upper mountain, tapering to 130cm on the lower slopes, while Whakapapa is holding at 135cm and 69cm, respectively. Both ski areas will run long through spring and are expected to close on October 23.
National Park Village is just a short drive to Whakapapa Ski Area, and the Sky Waka gondola boasts incredible views out across the Central Plateau and is excellent value for families, plus heaps of other activities from mountain biking to guided off-road quad bike rides.
There is still good accommodation availability over the weekend of October 7 in Ohakune for the Ohakune Blues & Roots Festival, combined with fantastic school holiday spring skiing at Tūroa. Visitors are encouraged to dust off their retro ski gear on September 30 for Ohakune’s annual Retro Day, celebrated at Tūroa Ski Area and the Ohakune Junction. The original retro ski celebration!
Updated: 28 August 2023
Mt Ruapehu is open and going off; the snow is the best for years. If you don’t believe us, watch the video from One News. We were at Whakapapa just last week and haven’t seen such conditions for a long time. The season will likely go through to Labour weekend, so you have plenty of time to visit Mt Ruapehu.
After what happened at the beginning of the season, this is excellent news for Mt Ruapehu.
Ski Mt Ruapehu, lots of snow - season open until Labour weekend
Updated: 16 August 2023
Updated: 11 August 2023
Plenty of snow at Mt Ruapehu ski fields
Mt Ruapehu, Friday 11 August 2023: Mt Ruapehu is leading the national ski field snow base with 10-25cm of new snow blanketing the maunga this week, and more snow forecast. Tūroa’s upper mountain is boasting the highest snow base in the country with 255cm and 115cm on the lower slopes.
The Mt Ruapehu team are firing on all cylinders to de-ice, dig out and maintain avalanche control work ahead of this weekend, which is expected to bring more light snow and ideal ski and riding conditions. The latest weather and facility updates are available on mtruapehu.com.
Ski & Ride School
Advanced lessons are back with Level 4 Group lessons available at Whakapapa from next week. Level 4 Group lessons are aimed at skiers and riders wanting to improve and build confidence on the upper mountain blue runs. There will be limited availability, both online and at Guest Services. These lessons will meet at the top of the Sky Waka by the ski racks outside Knoll Ridge Chalet.
Anyone unsure of their ski or snowboard ability level can review the FAQs here: https://help.mtruapehu.com/hc/en-us
Snowboard Mini Lessons
In addition to the popular ski mini’s program, mini board riders can now enjoy snowboarding lessons with a qualified instructor. Any mini from 3-7 years old can book in for a discounted 1-hour private lesson. These lessons are an introduction for little riders with less stamina. Two-hour private lessons are still available to book for kids aged 4 years and up.
Book your lesson or development program here: https://www.mtruapehu.com/lessons-and-development/development-programmes
Ruapehu Alpine Lifts Chief Executive Officer, Jono Dean, says, “We’re pumped by the continued snow dumping giving us the much-needed base to sustain a long ski season, and we’re confident that our pass holders are frothing to get up here on the maunga. Our Whakapapa and Tūroa teams are doing amazing mahi to prepare the slopes for some epic runs this weekend”.
“We are thrilled to announce the return of our popular lessons and development programs, and our Women’s Week program at Whakapapa is a week not to be missed. The September school holiday programs are expected to sell out quickly given the timing of the holidays falls earlier this year and within our peak spring skiing conditions – which we believe is some of the best in the country.”
“Guests planning to visit Mt Ruapehu’s ski fields this weekend and over the coming months are strongly encouraged to plan their trips early and save time and purchase their passes online prior to arrival,” concluded Jono.
Mt Ruapehu visitors can also drop into SnowCentre Newmarket, TCB Ohakune or any of Torpedo 7’s 11 selected retail locations throughout the North Island to collect their passes from the dedicated click and collect facilities.
For latest ski field status reports, visit mtruapehu.com or to buy or Mt Ruapehu ski pass, click here
About Mt Ruapehu operators Ruapehu Alpine Lifts.
The Sky Waka gondola, New Zealand’s premier gondola experience (wheelchair accessible), transports guests 1.8km up the Whakapapa side of the maunga 2020m above sea level and offers panoramic vistas out across the volcanic terrain and neighbouring mountains, Mt Tongariro and Mt Ngauruhoe. Skiers, boarders, and sightseers are welcomed to the architecturally awarded Knoll Ridge Chalet and the highest year-round eatery in the country. The Sky Waka gondola runs daily, 10 am – 4 pm.
For families looking to give their kids a snow play experience, there is a snow experience zone at the top of the Sky Waka gondola, which can be accessed with a sightseeing pass. Or the Whakapapa sledding zone in Happy Valley offers fun for snow-seekers of all ages. Kids need to be eight years+ to ride their sled unaccompanied.
Tūroa ski field is a popular winter destination with breathtaking scenery and diverse terrain. Tūroa offers an unforgettable skiing experience and boasts an impressive vertical drop and challenging slopes, making it a haven for advanced skiers and snowboarders seeking a thrilling adventure. Its high elevation ensures reliable snow conditions throughout the season. Tūroa is also home to the country’s longest vertical descent, providing exhilarating runs for enthusiasts. The ski field offers modern facilities, including ski rental, lessons, and cozy food and beverage facilities to enjoy those much-needed breaks throughout the day.
Mt Ruapehu offers private and group skiing and snowboarding lessons tailored to differing skill and experience levels and abilities. Qualified instructors teach guests how to ski or snowboard and are an excellent opportunity to work on specific techniques on your journey to becoming more competent on the slopes. Group lessons cater to up to 10 riders of a similar ability, are more affordable, and tend to benefit kids, where they can follow and learn from each other in a fun and energetic group dynamic. Group lessons are 1hr 50min in duration, split by age and level, from first time through to intermediate. To learn from the best, book here.
Hit the slopes in just three hours’ drive from Hamilton, four from Wellington and five hours from Auckland, and support not only Mt Ruapehu’s 2023 snow season but local tourism businesses, their staff and communities that bring the magic of winter alive in the central North Island.
Visit www.mtruapehu.com/
Updated: 11 August 2023
Plenty of snow at Mt Ruapehu ski fields
Mt Ruapehu, Friday 11 August 2023: Mt Ruapehu is leading the national ski field snow base with 10-25cm of new snow blanketing the maunga this week, and more snow forecast. Tūroa’s upper mountain is boasting the highest snow base in the country with 255cm and 115cm on the lower slopes.
The Mt Ruapehu team are firing on all cylinders to de-ice, dig out and maintain avalanche control work ahead of this weekend, which is expected to bring more light snow and ideal ski and riding conditions. The latest weather and facility updates are available on mtruapehu.com.
Ski & Ride School
Advanced lessons are back with Level 4 Group lessons available at Whakapapa from next week. Level 4 Group lessons are aimed at skiers and riders wanting to improve and build confidence on the upper mountain blue runs. There will be limited availability, both online and at Guest Services. These lessons will meet at the top of the Sky Waka by the ski racks outside Knoll Ridge Chalet.
Anyone unsure of their ski or snowboard ability level can review the FAQs here: https://help.mtruapehu.com/hc/en-us
Snowboard Mini Lessons
In addition to the popular ski mini’s program, mini board riders can now enjoy snowboarding lessons with a qualified instructor. Any mini from 3-7 years old can book in for a discounted 1-hour private lesson. These lessons are an introduction for little riders with less stamina. Two-hour private lessons are still available to book for kids aged 4 years and up.
Book your lesson or development program here: https://www.mtruapehu.com/lessons-and-development/development-programmes
Ruapehu Alpine Lifts Chief Executive Officer, Jono Dean, says, “We’re pumped by the continued snow dumping giving us the much-needed base to sustain a long ski season, and we’re confident that our pass holders are frothing to get up here on the maunga. Our Whakapapa and Tūroa teams are doing amazing mahi to prepare the slopes for some epic runs this weekend”.
“We are thrilled to announce the return of our popular lessons and development programs, and our Women’s Week program at Whakapapa is a week not to be missed. The September school holiday programs are expected to sell out quickly given the timing of the holidays falls earlier this year and within our peak spring skiing conditions – which we believe is some of the best in the country.”
“Guests planning to visit Mt Ruapehu’s ski fields this weekend and over the coming months are strongly encouraged to plan their trips early and save time and purchase their passes online prior to arrival,” concluded Jono.
Mt Ruapehu visitors can also drop into SnowCentre Newmarket, TCB Ohakune or any of Torpedo 7’s 11 selected retail locations throughout the North Island to collect their passes from the dedicated click and collect facilities.
For latest ski field status reports, visit mtruapehu.com or to buy or Mt Ruapehu ski pass, click here
About Mt Ruapehu operators Ruapehu Alpine Lifts.
The Sky Waka gondola, New Zealand’s premier gondola experience (wheelchair accessible), transports guests 1.8km up the Whakapapa side of the maunga 2020m above sea level and offers panoramic vistas out across the volcanic terrain and neighbouring mountains, Mt Tongariro and Mt Ngauruhoe. Skiers, boarders, and sightseers are welcomed to the architecturally awarded Knoll Ridge Chalet and the highest year-round eatery in the country. The Sky Waka gondola runs daily, 10 am – 4 pm.
For families looking to give their kids a snow play experience, there is a snow experience zone at the top of the Sky Waka gondola, which can be accessed with a sightseeing pass. Or the Whakapapa sledding zone in Happy Valley offers fun for snow-seekers of all ages. Kids need to be eight years+ to ride their sled unaccompanied.
Tūroa ski field is a popular winter destination with breathtaking scenery and diverse terrain. Tūroa offers an unforgettable skiing experience and boasts an impressive vertical drop and challenging slopes, making it a haven for advanced skiers and snowboarders seeking a thrilling adventure. Its high elevation ensures reliable snow conditions throughout the season. Tūroa is also home to the country’s longest vertical descent, providing exhilarating runs for enthusiasts. The ski field offers modern facilities, including ski rental, lessons, and cozy food and beverage facilities to enjoy those much-needed breaks throughout the day.
Mt Ruapehu offers private and group skiing and snowboarding lessons tailored to differing skill and experience levels and abilities. Qualified instructors teach guests how to ski or snowboard and are an excellent opportunity to work on specific techniques on your journey to becoming more competent on the slopes. Group lessons cater to up to 10 riders of a similar ability, are more affordable, and tend to benefit kids, where they can follow and learn from each other in a fun and energetic group dynamic. Group lessons are 1hr 50min in duration, split by age and level, from first time through to intermediate. To learn from the best, book here.
Hit the slopes in just three hours’ drive from Hamilton, four from Wellington and five hours from Auckland, and support not only Mt Ruapehu’s 2023 snow season but local tourism businesses, their staff and communities that bring the magic of winter alive in the central North Island.
Visit www.mtruapehu.com/
