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Mt Ruapehu is the home of skiing on New Zealand’s north island. Mt Ruapehu is an active volcano located in the Tongariro National Park in the central section of the southern end of the island. It is only an hour or so to drive from Taupo or Palmerston North. There is no on snow accommodation on the mountain so most skiers stay in local villages or in Taupo and make the drive to the mountain each day. This is probably the only ski resort in the world situated on an active volcano so you will have something to talk about when you return home. Auckland, to the north, has an international airport with regular flights from all over the world. Here many skiers hire a campervan or motorhome or a four wheel drive vehicle to give them access to the ski fields.

There are two major commercial ski fields on Mt Ruapehu and these have recently been joined together under the one management and this amalgamated ski resort is now New Zealand’s largest. These fields are Whakapapa and Turoa. Whakapapa has all the facilities that you would expect in an international ski field. Whakapapa has 43 trails ranging from beginners level right through to advanced. Turoa faces the south and is known as "the giant" and boasts the largest vertical drop in New Zealand. Turoa is especially popular with snow boarders with its challenging runs and natural half pipes. Both fields have plenty of chairs and lifts as well as restaurants, ski school, beginner’s slopes with magic carpet lifts, ski patrol and up to date equipment at the ski hire shop. The resort is also equipped with modern snow making facilities in the unusual event that nature take a snow making holiday.

If you are a ski enthusiast from Australia or from the Northern hemisphere you should come and experience the slopes at Mt Ruapehu on New Zealand’s North Island. It will be an unforgettable experience for you.

Mount Ruapehu