Visiting Whakapapa
Helpful resort information to assist planning your trip to Whakapapa.
- Season opens25 Jun 2021
- Season closes3 Oct 2021
- Accommodation
- Restaurants | Bars4 | —
- Nearest Airport Taupo
- Nearest Train Station National Park Village
- Tourist Office Website
- Tourist Office Phone+6478924000
Whakapapa Features
The terrain at Whakapapa includes:
- Halfpipes1
- Terrain Parks2
- X-Country—
- Ski Hire—
What's it like at Whakapapa resort?
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.
Latest photos from Whakapapa. View all photos at the Whakapapa gallery page.
Photo credit: Bruce McCallum
Photo credit: Bruce McCallum
Photo credit: Bruce McCallum
Photo credit: Bruce McCallum
Photo credit: Bruce McCallum
Photo credit: Bruce McCallum
Photo credit: Bruce McCallum
Photo credit: Bruce McCallum
Explore Whakapapa Location Map
Interactive Whakapapa trail map and piste map. View the piste and trails as well as the surrounding terrain and mountain contours for backcountry action. Find and compare nearby resorts by clicking on the resort markers.
When's the snowiest month to visit Whakapapa?
Visitor Reviews of Whakapapa
Bayley from New Zealand writes:
This mountain is one of a kind with the funniest people that arrive to the awesome terrain that can turn on.
This mountain is highly demanding but from skiing in other countries I must say I have had some of the best snow of all time, understanding where the snow is coming from is very key to skiing dry and rewarding pow.
Both sides of Ruapehu needs to be skied to sunlight / snow direction / wind direction and of course not following the crowds, if all align I can ensure you one of a kind skiing experience.
If you are skiing to experience the goods, try and ski with groups and with transceivers, Pinnacles can turn on early morning or arvo.
Enjoy and take the experience in.
Resorts close to Whakapapa
Discover ski resorts near Whakapapa. Click below to view there ski resort guides.
Latest Webcam
Tukino
Last Snow: 3 cm Wed 20 JanLifts: 2
Trails: —
8 km awayTuroa
Last Snow: 4 cm Wed 20 JanLifts: 9
Trails: 43
10 km awayManganui
Last Snow: 6 cm Wed 20 JanLifts: 4
Trails: 10
126 km awayRainbow
Last Snow: 19 cm Wed 20 JanLifts: 5
Trails: 9
372 km awayMount Lyford
Last Snow: 2 cm Tue 19 JanLifts: 6
Trails: —
410 km away