Mount Ruapehu Beginner Skiing

At Whakapapa, beginners have an extremely easy area dedicated to them. With the help of 25 snow guns, Happy Valley, tucked away from the main slopes, normally opens at the end of May, in advance of the rest of the area. It has its own cafeteria, ski-hire-building and free chairlift access.

The Rock Garden area is the next step up. At Turoa The Alpine Meadow area, with extensive snowmaking, offers sheltered and easy skiing for beginners, who can move on to the Wintergarden Platter, enjoying a long run back to the base area.