SKI AND RIDE
Welcome to winter at Mt Ruapehu
Season Pass sale coming soon
Get back to what you love in 2023 with more Season Pass options than ever before. In addition to a Weekday or Anytime Season Pass, you also have options to invest a little more for greater piece of mind with our Season+ and SeasonFlexi Passes.
Explore passes

Ski and ride in the heart of New Zealand’s North Island at two epic ski areas – Whakapapa and Tūroa - spanning 1050 hectares.
Terrain is formed by solidified lava, with snow settling from June through to October, filling in natural gullies and rocky crevasses.

Long, gentle slopes, and premier beginner facilities entice first timers to the maunga (mountain), affording them space to get the hang of turning and stopping at their own pace.
More advanced skiers and riders rejoice in accessible free ride terrain, with natural bowls, and wind lips, with a vast number of cliffs and shoots.

One Mountain
Whakapapa
Tūroa

Projected 2023 opening dates

  • Sky Waka gondola sightseeing - 3rd June
  • Whakapapa Skiing & Snowboarding - 1st July, progressively opening terrain as conditions allow
  • Tūroa Skiing & Snowboarding - 15th July, progressively opening terrain as conditions allow

Opening and closing dates are estimated prior to season start, and are conditions (more specifically, snow fall) dependent. Check our snow report, updated daily in season, for most up to date conditions and facilities.

Maps
Whakapapa
Tūroa

Ride through the clouds, past remnants of old crater rims and over ancient lava flows

Passes
One pass, two epic ski areas. Beginner, weekday, weekend, and season pass options. Buy online, ahead of time.
Lessons
Lessons for first timers through to advanced skiers and riders, both private and group lessons. Connect with our qualified instructors.
Programmes
Level up with programmes designed for both adults and mini shredders. 5, 10, and 20-day options, across development and performance.
Sledding
Custom designed sledding lanes, both sides of the maunga. Hire sleds and access lanes in one-hour blocks. Fun for the whole family.
Sightseeing
On Whakapapa, ride the Sky Waka gondola to 2020m, with expansive views out across the Central North Island, and beyond, all year round.
Rentals
Kit yourself out in quality ski and snowboard equipment, and warm outer wear. Bundle rental equipment with a ski pass and save.

Unique conditions

We are at the mercy of the elements, and the climatic effects of being atop the North Island’s peak, unprotected from any direction, adding a sense of drama but also magic to our slopes.

Our terrain is naturally volcanic, making it vast and diverse, and better flowing. Made by nature, enhanced by our expert team. This guarantees variety, creativity, and excitement.

While some days are gnarlier than others, we often arrive to crisp, bluebird days, and elusive “spring corn” – soft and forgiving – as the sun warms the slopes over the day.
We traditionally see a base of upwards of 1m from August, with snow filling the gullies and rocky crevasses, making for some of the best free ride terrain in the Southern Hemisphere.

Come prepared for our conditions and plan ahead and you will experience its magic.

Snow play area?

Looking for somewhere to experience the snow or maybe throw a snowball?

At Mt Ruapehu, you will need a valid pass to access any lift facilities and be either skiing, snowboarding or sledding to go onto the slopes. We do not allow foot traffic on the trails for safety reasons, unless supervising young children in Happy Valley or Alpine Meadow, with an accompanying adult pass.

There is a small snow experience zone at the top of the Sky Waka gondola at Whakapapa, which you can access with a sightseeing pass, however there are no specific snow play areas at Tūroa.
Depending on the conditions, there can be snow surrounding the plaza areas, which you are welcome to play on in a safe manner.

Terrain parks

Start small or go large in our terrain parks. Tūroa parks crew always brings its A game with a sweet range of terrain park features, from easy flat boxes to big kickers and rails, around the ski area.

First time to Mt Ruapehu?

If you have never visited Mt Ruapehu before, or perhaps never set foot on snow, or not driven in alpine conditions, take a look at our guide of all essential information you should know before arriving on the mighty maunga.

Buy online, save time

Almost all of what you need to make the most of your time at either Whakapapa or Tūroa is available to purchase or book online. That goes for passes, lessons, programmes, and rental equipment.

Rather than queue on arrival to purchase or book, you can buy online and visit one of our 23 click and collect machines, located on mountain, or in Torpedo7 stores North Island wide. Following checkout, you will receive a QR code via email. Present this at the automated click and collect machine, and it will print a pass, loaded with your purchase.
A great way to prepare in advance of hitting the slopes, ensuring you can make the most of your time on mountain.

See you at the bottom