Whakapapa, Mt Ruapehu - North Island

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Whakapapa, Mt Ruapehu - North Island ^Featured

Location

Mount Ruapehu, Central North Island, New Zealand

Driving Time

Turoa ski area -1 ¼ hours, Whakapapa Village -10 mins, Ohakune - 40 mins, Taupo - 1 ¼ hours

Lifts

5 double chairs, 2 quad chairs, 4 T Bars, 2 platters, 1 learners rope

Facilities

Cafes, rental, retail, ski school

Terrain

Beginners 25%, Intermediate 50%, Advanced 25%

Access Road

6km, sealed, 2 lane

Hours

Daily in winter, 8.30am – 4pm

More on Whakapapa Skifield, Mount Ruapehu

Beginner Terrain

Whakapapa is home to New Zealand's premiere beginners' area, Happy Valley. It's a big complete learners' area in its own valley away from the worry of faster skiers/boarders putting you off. It has its own cafe, rental complex and ski school meeting area. The gentle slope is nice and long, giving you plenty of time to really get the hang of your new sport and there is a slow-moving chairlift that takes you to the top of the slope while giving your legs a rest between runs.

Childcare

Private or group children's lessons are available but childcare is not. However, Turoa Ski Area, nearby, provides Mt Ruapehu's on snow childcare facilities.