Our winter is late this year but its here now with a vengance. Huge dumps of fresh powder in both the North & South Islands. If you are coming to Auckland you can rent a car from us and be skiing in 4 hours at Whakapapa or 41/2 hours at Turoa both on Mt Ruapehu. The conditions have never been better, check the photo attached.

New Zealand offers a wide range of ski and snowboard fields from the larger commercial type to the small club fields. Ski fields of New Zealand are truly diverse offering everything from world class facilities to enthusiast options. Snowboarders and new schoolers will also find an increasing number of terrain park options are available.In the North Island Mt Ruapehu an active (slightly)  volcano provides the best skiing with 2 commercial fields and 1 club field. Powderhound NZ describes these fields in detail below…..

Ski or Snowboard Whakapapa

Ski Whakapapa and ski New Zealand's Big in Nestled on the north west flanks of the mighty Mount Ruapehu is New Zealand's biggest ski area Whakapapa Whakapapa is New Zealand's 2nd oldest and biggest ski area. It has a wide range of runs on offer that can give beginners through to experts smiles on their dials. Snowboard Whakapapa or ski Whakapapa and you are riding New Zealand's Biggest ski area. For beginners there is wicked facilities with a dedicated beginner mini field called happy valley. If the weather is good it is a great place to start your family on the mountain experience. Intermediates will find Whakapapa exciting but at times a little intimidating. Many intermediates prefer the wide open runs Turoa offers.  Advanced and expert skiers/riders will find Whakapapa an exciting and breathtaking place. There are a wide range of challenging and difficult runs as well as some great touring opportunities. Check the snow base first though Whakapapa won't really go off until its around the 2 meter mark and as with all of Ruapehu's ski areas ice can be prevalent off trail. Also the can be a bit of traversing involved if you want the best terrain. For experts who want to ski Whakapapa we recommend the pinnacles and broken leg gully as well as the black magic zone on the far west Tbar. ski and snowboard Whakapapa and enjoy New Zealand's biggest choice of terrain!  The crater lake. Season LengthJune - October Typical snow conditionscan be hard packed at times or icey but known for great spring skiing with the odd powder day in Winter. We still love winter at Whakapapa though. Vertical drop675m's Key Feature - NZ's biggest field

 

Turoa Ski Field

Snowboard or Ski Turoa! Turoa is nestled above the ski town of Ohakune which has a vibrant apres ski scene and a range of accommodation. Turoa ski field has something for everyone with good beginner facilities,  great skiing for intermediates and (snow conditions permitting) some of New Zealand's best off trail advanced skiing and riding. Turoa unlike Whakapapa is a wide open mountain with plenty of room for intermediates to enjoy riding the trails. For advanced skier's and riders the runs to the left and right of the mountain can be fantastic long runs with few people around. Whilst they lack some of the difficulty of the expert runs at Whakapapa they offer more of big mountain experience with a sense of size being prevalent. The organ pipes to the west are huge several kilometer  long natural half pipes forged by the might of the volcano. To the east Mangahuehue glacier offers some outstanding out of bounds expert skiing and riding. Caution is required but its worth it if you are sensible. Always check in with Ski Patrol before going there. It can be very icy and should be avoided on those days.  Snow boarders beware you will need to traverse to access this advanced terrain to the West and East of Turoa. Its worth it though! The new six seater chairlift is set to be operational in 2007 New snowmaking and a huge new Alpine cafe means   ski Turoa and ski the Giant!   Turoa midwinter Season LengthJune - October Typical snow conditions Can be bullet proof ice but known for great spring skiing with the odd powder day in Winter. Nice grooming. Vertical drop 745m's Key Feature  - NZ's biggest vertical drop accessed by the biggest chairlift in NZ!