Sno Ruapehu, 5 Manuka Way (off Mead Lane), Horopito (2024)

27/08/2024

Taranaki Falls, a great walk only 25 minutes from the cabin. Family friendly and suitable to do even in winter! (always check the weather forecast first). It's a loop track that takes around 2 hours, including a stop to admire the falls. So beautiful!

20/08/2024

It's all true! 😃

17/08/2024

Views to die for 😍
Are you thinking of planning a mini spring break? Get in early and book your stay at Sno Ruapheu to enjoy these stunning views for yourself!

04/07/2024

All the cozy cabin vibes here at Sno Ruapehu! ❄️ You’ll have to get in quick if you’re dreaming of a winter stay, the calendar is filling fast…

27/09/2023

Kia ora,

Week one of the school holidays and we have just dipped under one month left in our 2023 season. The initial arrival of spring was warm but we’ve seen a bit of weather and cooler temperatures arrive the last few days and we will see more snow fall yet!

Tūroa has switched the Movenpick chair to ‘access only’ for the time being, meaning you will use that chairlift and the Parklane chair for downloading at the end of the day, as there is currently no ski option back to base area. The team are hopeful that with the snow forecast and a bit of rebuilding, they might get top to bottom skiing back in play in the next few days. For beginners, the carpet on the Alpine Meadow is still up and running too.

At Whakapapa, the team has today called time on Happy Valley. This is only four days ahead of our pre-season estimate and the good news is that the Cindertrack carpet is now underway on the upper mountain for beginners and learners. It is situated just beneath the Knoll Ridge Chalet (image shown captured in 2022 for reference, better image from 2023 to come) which becomes a great home base for groups of differing skill levels.

The upper mountain snow base is still going strong at both ski areas and meets with a high-pressure system next week, bringing lots of sunshine to week two. Don’t forget that you can without blackouts (i.e. school holidays) with our great value weekday passes.

For those that love to après, there remains a lot of (family friendly) events both on and off field to plan into your visit. Coming up we’ve got:

Retro Day - Tūroa and Ohakune.
Saturday 30 September.
https://www.facebook.com/retrodayohakune

Warren Miller’s Daymaker - Lorenz’s at Whakapapa (free event).
4:30pm, Wednesday 4 October.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YGh18LsgHw

Ohakune Blues & Roots Festival - Ohakune.
Saturday 7 October.
https://www.facebook.com/ohakunebluesroots

Alpine Festival 2023 - Tūroa.
Saturday 14 October.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1637646623382548

We are committed to finishing with fun this final month, see you soon for a few more runs!

Ngā manaakitanga,
Travis

Ruapehu NZ Love Taupō

14/09/2023

Tūroa bathing in the sun today!
Epic wide groomers!
The left hand side of the trail you are looking at is 12 groomer blades wide! That's insane!
So much room for activities!

04/09/2023

Spring snow ❄️

"While it may come as a surprise to some, spring represents the best part of the season for many skiers and snowboarders, especially on Mt Ruapehu. And this spring
is shaping up to be one of the best in Mt Ruapehu’s recent history. With a snow base exceeding 2.5m at Tūroa Ski Area (the deepest in the world as of end-August), and 1.5m at Whakapapa Ski Area, the vast and diverse, natural volcanic terrain is already laden with the good stuff."

Read more of our feature in Adventure Magazine NZ here 👉https://adventuremagazine.co.nz/the-best-is-yet-to-come-spring-to-ruapehu/

📸 Ruapehu, Whakapapa Ski Area

28/08/2023

Celebrating 70 years

Commemorating 70 years of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts.

This September marks 70 years since the inception of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts – the operator of Whakapapa and Tūroa Ski Areas.

To commemorate, on Friday 1 September, and for that day only, we will be offering discounted adult weekday passes for $70 (for 70 years). Youth passes will also be discounted to $45. Passes purchased on Friday 1 September can be used on any weekday across the remainder of the 2023 season. Buy online at mtruapehu.com/passes.

Up on mountain, we’d love for you to join us in commemorating the 70 year milestone on Saturday 2 September. Dress up in your vintage ski kit and enjoy late afternoon festivities in the Whakapapa plaza and at Lorenz’s Bar & Café from 4-7pm. Our plan is also to roll free twilight skiing at Whakapapa from 4-6pm, and free sightseeing on the Sky Waka gondola from 4-6pm also, conditions permitting.

More info to come!

---

In 1953, Ruapehu Alpine Lifts was formed to support the development of Whakapapa Ski Area, before going on to purchase Tūroa Ski Area in 2000.

Back then, we wouldn’t have foreseen seeing in 70 years of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts whilst in liquidation – but here we are.

BUT!

We are also here in what is turning into one of the BEST snow seasons in recent memory!

Tūroa has ticked over 255cm snow base while pockets of up to 8m have been found at Whakapapa. People are continuing to report having the best days of their lives up on the slopes this season.

Generations of New Zealanders flock to Mt Ruapehu each year and we hope this will continue. Many discovered their first love of snow at our beginner facilities. Others have gone on to revel in our 1050 hectares of epic intermediate and advanced freeride terrain.

There has been good, bad, and sometimes even ugly, but we want to celebrate Mt Ruapehu, its loyal following, and our incredibly hard working team. Those who continue to swing the yeti sticks against our world renowned ice, groom through the night to millimetre perfection, stand in bitter southerly fronts in the plazas to greet and support our manuhiri, manage our (aging) infrastructure and the technical curve balls it throws us, navigate the logistics of transporting food and drinks to 2020m above sea level, and the rest.

While we expect this might be the last season of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts, we remain hopeful of a future of snow sports on Maunga Ruapehu. We hope you will commemorate this milestone with us, sharing your love, energy, stories, and photos of the magic maunga.

⛷: Lyall Adam Crump
📷: Derek Morrison (taken circa ‘94)

27/08/2023

Gosh already thinking about Spring!

🏞️🥾 Spring is just around the corner and it's time to lace up those running shoes, hit the trails, and start training!
🏔️🌱 Gear up and get ready for the ultimate challenges: the The Goat Tongariro, the Tussock Traverse, the T42 Central Plateau and more! 🌼🏃

Are you up for the challenge? 💪💫 Head here for more info https://www.visitruapehu.com/events

22/08/2023

If you haven’t booked in your snow fix yet it’s not too late. Look at all its beauty ❄️❄️❄️

18/08/2023

Had a good day up yesterday, looking forward to my next trip.

17/08/2023

So much glorious snow at the moment.

15/08/2023

Make your own long weekend here at Sno Ruapehu

When all the long weekends are behind you, make your own!

With a three or four day Long Weekend Pass, experience Mt Ruapehu for less this winter.

Until 27 August, you can grab a four day Adult Long Weekend Pass for $349 or a three day Pass for $299, a saving of up to 40%. Four day Youth Long Weekend Passes are $229 and three day Passes are $189.

Passes can be used any day of the week during the 2023 season and don't need to be used on consecutive days.

This is your one chance this season to purchase a multi day pass for Mt Ruapehu. Purchase online (ideally) or on mountain at Guest Services.