Ski & snowboard

There’s more room to ski at Whakapapa Ski Area, Turoa Ski Area and Tukino Ski Field than at all the commercial South Island ski fields put together.

Whakapapa Ski Area is New Zealand’s largest ski area with over 65 trails to discover, ranging from beginner and intermediate to extreme.  Whether you’re interested in snow play, having a coffee at New Zealand's highest cafe, starting out skiing or snowboarding or you’re looking for a new challenge, Whakapapa Ski Area has the terrain and snow conditions to cater for everyone.

Turoa Ski Area is a favourite with those who enjoy the space and freedom of its wide open bowls and chutes. Snowboarders will love the terrain park, and more advanced skiers and boarders will find long linking runs and access to backcountry areas from the top of Australasia’s highest chairlift.

Beginners can find their feet at the family-friendly Happy Valley learner’s area at Whakapapa or Turoa’s Alpine Meadow. More advanced skiers can head straight for the long runs and big open bowls of the back-country areas, accessible by chairlift.

Après ski, relax after a day of skiing or snowboarding

A fantastic range of apres-ski options are on offer too. Warm up with a coffee or hot chocolate while enjoying breathtaking views at New Zealand’s award-winning highest cafe, the Knoll Ridge Chalet at Whakapapa. Discover the Schuss Hauss at Whakapapa – a cosy refurbished ski chalet perfect for a beer and tasty Mexican food whilst enjoying live music on Friday and Saturday nights. Enjoy a mulled wine in front of a lodge fire, unwind weary muscles with a soak in a geothermal hot spring, or fuel up for the next day's adventure with a meal under the fairy lights of Taupō town.

Getting to the mountain

Take the hassle out of getting to the snow with daily mountain transport from Taupō town and Turangi to Whakapapa (return). Get picked up straight from your accommodation with Adventure HQ or take the Mt Ruapehu snow shuttle, which also departs daily from the Snow Depot right in the heart of Taupō town.

Where to stay

You have a choice of locations in which to base yourself as you explore the Central Plateau and North Island ski areas. Taupō, located just over an hour from Whakapapa, is a bustling lakeside resort town with excellent accommodation options, a buzzing cafe and restaurant scene and mountain shuttles operating daily throughout the winter season.

You might also wish to spend time closer to the mountain in the riverside settlement of Turangi - just 40-minutes from Whakapapa Ski Area and the gateway to the Tongariro National Park (daily mountain shuttles also operate from here).