Mt Ruapehu Volcano and Ski Area - Tongariro National Park - New Zealand

Mt Ruapehu is an active volcano (it last erupted in 1996) situated in Tongariro National Park, in the middle of New Zealand’s North Island. Mt Ruapehu’s highest point is 2797m (9177ft), it is also the highest mountain in the North Island, and at the top of the mountain, there is a crater lake.

The Pinnacles (Whakapapa Ski Area) New Zealand

Mt Ruapehu has the largest ski field in New Zealand, actually it consists of 2 ski fields, one is located on the Northern side of the mountain called Whakapapa (pronounced “fucker papa“) and the other one is situated on the Southern slope called Turoa (pronounced “too raw ah).

Mt Ngaruhoe Volcano (left/background) and The Pinnacles (right)

It takes about 5 hours to drive from New Zealand’s largest city Auckland to get to Whakapapa, and about 5 hours to drive from Wellington (the capital of New Zealand) to get to Turoa. The small town that serves Whakapapa is called the National Park, while Ohakune (aka Carrot Town) serves Turoa. There is no flight nor airport in National Park and Turoa, and most visitors to the ski fields stay in ski lodges located in either town. Distance between National Park town and Whakapapa Ski Area is 22km or 25 minute drive, and the distance between Ohakune town and Turoa Ski Area is about 19km or 30 minute drive.

Almost at the top of Mt Ruapehu Volcano (background is Mt Ngaruhoe, another Volcano)

The chances of Turoa Ski Area being closed are higher than Whakapapa Ski Area. Those who stay in Ohakune, may want to drive to Whakapapa when Turoa is closed. The distance between the 2 ski areas is about 75km or 1 hour 20 minute drive. Both Ski Areas are temperamental, so be prepared to spend days in either towns or at your ski lodges when the ski areas are closed (which is common, due to strong wind, road closure, etc). When the roads to the Ski Areas are snowy and icy, one can rent snow chains in Turoa ($20/day) but not in Whakapapa (they used to rent them in previous years). If one doesn’t have a 4WD or snow chains, one can still take shuttle bus from The Chateau public car park (by the Grand Chateau Tongariro Hotel) to Whakapapa Ski Area.

Majority of visitors stay in National Park, as there are more things to do and see in the vicinity, such as the other active volcano and perfect cone shaped mountain named Mt Ngaruhoe (aka Mt Doom in the Lord of the Rings), fishing for trouts along the Tongariro River in nearby town called Turangi, etc. Moreover, the scenery at Whakapapa is spectacular, it has the peaks called The Pinnacles (extreme skiers like to push their limits here). Furthermore, according to experienced snowboarders and skiers, Whakapapa has more challenging terrains and trails.

Tips: It is cheaper to rent snow chains from your car rental companies ($25 one time charge) and to rent ski and snowboard gear and buy ski pass at your lodge. Up in the Ski Area, not only things are more expensive, they also charge 2% surcharge when using credit card to rent gear or buy ski pass.