Mount Ruapehu
With the largest lift accessed terrain and highest lift in NZ and the longest Vertical descent in Australasia, Mt Ruapehu provides MORE terrain, MORE choice and MORE freedom.
Mountain Statistics for Whakapapa & Turoa
Whakapapa
Whakapapa Ski Area on the north-western slopes of Mt Ruapehu is New Zealand’s largest ski area, with more than 65 trails across 1050 hectares.
Base Area Altitude: 1630m
Skiable Area: 550 hectares
Which side of the mountain: North-west slopes
Lifts: 7 lifts, 4 T-bars, 2 platters & 1 rope 5 lifts
Terrain: Beginner - 25% beginners , Intermediate - 50% intermediate, Advanced - 25% advanced
Season Guideline: July to late October 2012
Snowmaking: 20%
Groomed Trails: 30
Operating Hours: 9am to 4pm
Cafes: 6 including 2 licensed
Access: 6 km of sealed road from Whakapapa village
About the Terrain
Beginners – Whakapapa is home to New Zealand’s premiere beginner’s area, Happy Valley. Dedicated purely to beginners it is in its own valley away from the worry of faster skiers & boarders. The slope is nice and long allowing you time to get the hang of skiing or boarding for the first time.
Intermediate – This ski field offers more than 30 groomed trails which the intermediate skier or boarder will love. This ski area offers a variety of trails that explore the volcanic terrain, giving you a choice of bumps, chutes, drops, bowls or nice wide runs.
Advanced – If you want to get your adrenaline pumping then you will be thrilled by the 24 black and black diamond runs available at Whakapapa. Plus this area offers lift access to its Black Magic backcountry area.
Turoa
Turoa Ski Area on the south-western slopes of Mt Ruapehu has Australasia’s longest vertical descent and New Zealand’s highest lift.
Base Area Altitude: 1630m
Skiable Area: 500 hectares
Which side of the mountain: South-west slopes
Lifts: 1 T-bar, 2 Platters & 1 carpet
Terrain: Beginners - 20% beginners, Intermediate - 55% intermediate, Advanced – 25% advanced
Season Guideline: June to late October 2012
Snowmaking: 10%
Groomed Trails: 22
Operating Hours: 9am to 4pm
Cafes: 3 including 2 licensed
Access: 17 kms of sealed road from Ohakune
About the Terrain
Beginners – The Alpine Meadow has a massive 120m long carpet lift, perfect for a beginners ski area. For those who don’t know what a carpet lift is, basically it’s like a conveyer belt or travelator over the snow – you just stand on it and it takes you easily up the slope! Right next to the Alpine Meadow is a tobogganing area which is great fun for the kids!
Intermediate – If you like wide and smooth ski runs you will enjoy the intermediate terrain at Turoa. This area also has a few chutes and bowls though just to keep it interesting. There are 12 groomed intermediate runs which are long and many link to one another so you can enjoy brilliant skiing and riding from the top of Australasia’s highest lift to the base area.
Advanced – At Turoa you will find a massive variety of terrain with 25 black and black diamond runs and two impressive lift accessed backcountry areas. You’ll enjoy natural half-pipes and chutes through the Organ pipes and the Solitude backcountry areas. But if you like steeps Hamilton’s Face is perfect to explore the ever-changing range of natural terrain features.
*Return Mountain Transfers – From the National Park & Oakune approx NZ$30, paid direct.
Key Features
- Experience the thrill of skiing on an active volcano.
- Located on the slopes of Mt Ruapehu in Tongariro National Park, a designated Dual World Heritage area.
- Virtually equal distance from Auckland or Wellington.
- Mt Ruapehu is home to the most awesome natural skiing & snowboarding terrain in the country: huge
snow filled basins, steep chutes, drop-offs and secret powder stashes. - Mt Ruapehu offers something for everyone: fantastic learners’ facilities, terrain parks for snowboarders & freeskiers of all abilities, & the best spring skiing in NZ.
- The best access roads of any NZ Skifield (2 lanes sealed all the way).
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Bonus: One Mt Ruapehu lift pass gives you access to both Whakapapa and Turoa Ski Areas.
