Mount Ruapehu Ski Area
Whakapapa and Turoa, just under four miles from Ohakune on the south-western slopes of the volcano – are jointly marketed and owned by the same company, Ruapehu Alpine Lifts.Whakapapa, purchased its neighbour at the turn of the century, and in an ideal world could have linked the two to form a superlative ski area which would have dwarfed every other resort in New Zealand and probably Australia too. However they are too far from each other and the terrain does not lend itself to a link. But it’s possible for experienced locals to traverse the two miles from one to the other – and for more adventurous visitors, there are guided traverses.
By road the same journey is 40 miles! But RAL has submitted plans for a snow road that would allow easier access between the ski areas. In good conditions – not only good snow and visibility, but no eruptions! – Whakapapa is arguably the most interesting and challenging resort in Australasia. But during a wet, windy white-out, visibility, with no trees, can be so poor that the resort can sometimes be barely skiable, or seeable.
Turoa, North Island’s so-called “Giant” resort, built much more recently, in the late 1970s, and absorbing some of its neighbour’s crowds, reaches high towards the peak of the volcano, right into glacier country below Mt Ruapehu’s summit ridge – the only lift-served glacier in Australasia, with correspondingly magnificent scenery and a good snow record. The terrain, with a preponderance of wide open cruising terrain offers easy skiing all the way down to the base (snow permitting). The longest run is well over two miles. There is also a significant amount of off-piste skiing. Turoa has a cafeteria and bar at the base, along with rentals and a medical centre.