Whakapapa Ski Resort Guide
Whakapapa Ski Resort Guide
Whakapapa (New Zealand's largest ski area since joining with Turoa Ski Resort) is part of Tongariro National Park, New Zealand's oldest National Park and a World Heritage area. Whakapapa is operated under a license issued by the Department of Conservation and is owned and run by Ruapehu Alpine Lifts Ltd. There are 43 trails at Whakapapa with terrain for all ability levels, including off-piste expert terrain. The ski area can be broken into three: Happy Valley (a self contained beginners area), the east side (where the majority of lifts and services are located) and the west side (highlighted by the lift accessed back-country terrain). The nearest airport to Whakapapa is in Wellington.
Resorts close to Whakapapa include:
Tukino (8 km),
Turoa (10 km),
Manganui (126 km),
Rainbow (372 km),
Mount Lyford (410 km),
Select Whakapapa Location Map Detail:
(Also see our detailed Weather Map around Whakapapa, which will give you visual overview of current and future snow conditions)
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Trails (Pistes): 30 |
Halfpipes: 1 |
| Summit: 2300 m |
Toplift: m |
| Beg: 30% Int: 45% Adv: 25% |
Terrain Parks: 2 |
| Vertical Drop: 675 m |
X-Country: - |
| Lifts: 14 ( 7 chair lifts, 7 surface lifts ) |
Snowmaking: 10% |
| Gondolas / Cable Cars: - |
Slopeside accommodation: - |
| Restaurants: 4 |
Acres of ski: 1100 |
| Bars: - |
Nearest Airport: Taupo |
| Nearest Train: National Park Village |
Tourist Info Phone:: +6478923738,
Whakapapa Tourist Office Website |
Visitor Reviews of Whakapapa
Robert from New Zealand writes:
I came to skiing late in life and I LOVE (!) Ruapehu. This is my 10th season. There is usually heaps of snow right through to October and a good variety of runs to choose from.
Just 4 hours from both major cities with comfortable budget priced accommodation available.
I prefer Whakapapa to Turoa because the weather is more reliable and there seems to be less ice around. I remember the big (4m+) snow of 2008 when you could hardly see some of the mountain lodges. In snow like this there are places where a beginner/intermediate can get a confidence boost: Broadbents (Turoa) and Tennants Valley (Whaka). Far West (Whaka) is nice but beware of ice.
The "road" at the bottom of Clarry's Track, Turoa is where inexperienced skiers and boarders must use, so out of control riders need serious management. This was by-passed this year with an excellent chute under the chair-line, landing you right at the base of the lowest chairs.
One grumble is the uphill slog from the Centennial chair to the lower mountain runs. Not so bad in a tail wind!
A great feature of both fields is the free season pass for 70-year-olds. I'm going on 69 now and living for that day!
2011-10-10 |
Click here to read 28 more reviews of Whakapapa or submit your own
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- Season opens: 23 Jun 2012
- Season closes: 21 Oct 2012
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