Snow Activities on Mount Ruapehu

In Ohakune, we don’t get depressed about the arrival of winter, far from it! For Ohakune people winter is a buzz of excitement as the town comes alive. Skiers and snowboarders flock to the town through the winter to take advantage of New Zealand’s two biggest ski areas.

Both are on the flanks of the massive Mt Ruapehu volcano, a major feature of the Central Plateau volcanic zone that is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. Mt Ruapehu rises to 2797m above sea level, with the ski areas starting at around 1600m, with the highest lifts stopping at around 2300m.

Being a maritime climate, the mountain enjoys heavy snowfalls through the winter, with both ski areas regularly topping 2-3 metre bases, with the record set at around five metres. Both commercial ski areas also have extensive snowmaking to ensure top to bottom skiing and boarding usually to the last day each season – often into November in the case of Turoa.

Whakapapa and Turoa offer over 700 hectares of patrolled skiable terrain on 52 groomed trails, with almost the same area off-trail.

Turoa provides the only lift access to a glacier in New Zealand – to the awesome Mangaehuehu Glacier.

Access on the ski area roads (both sealed all the way) is toll-free and both have free shuttle buses and car parks, and the company offers “seamless” lift passes – you can ski both commercial areas on the same ticket.

Because Turoa faces south-west it holds its snow well and in good condition, providing drier snow in winter and great spring skiing right through October and usually into November. The field is a natural terrain park for skiers and snowboarders. It has wide open slopes for cruising, as well as tricky chutes and steeps for advanced skiers.

For just 20 minutes extra travelling, Ohakune visitors can slide on Whakapapa Ski Area, which offers more than 30 groomed trails as well as its steep chutes, couloirs and superb off-piste skiing.

Whakapapa is NZ’s largest ski area, with 675 metres of vertical drop.

Throughout the winter there are events on both ski areas to entertain as well as challenge. There are regular races for the serious adult competitor but also for juniors through to masters.

And there’s numerous big air, slopestyle and boardercross competitions which are great for the competitors as well as for spectators.

For something different, there’s the ‘Wild Side’ – the Tukino Club Field, accessed from part-way along the Desert Road. Access is via a four-wheel-drive track, or call 0800-885-466 to arrange transport.

Tukino has two ‘nutcracker’ rope tows, one for beginner-intermediate skiers and one for intermediate-advanced skiers.