Tongariro National Park

Introducing Tongariro National Park

The North Island is dominated by volcanic-cone skiing. Rumbling Mt Ruapehu in Tongariro National Park is the premier ski zone.

Twin resorts Whakapapa and Turoa (07-892 3738, snow-phone 08-322 2182; www.mtruapehu.com; daily lift pass adult/child $80/44), on either side of Mt Ruapehu (aka Mt Doom from Lord of the Rings), comprise NZ’s largest ski area. Lift passes are valid at both resorts. Whakapapa, 6km above Whakapapa Village in Tongariro National Park, has 30 groomed runs. There are plenty of snowboarding possibilities, cross-country, downhill and ski touring, and the highest lift access in the country. You can drive yourself up to the slopes or take a shuttle minibus from Whakapapa Village, National Park township, Taupo or Turangi. Smaller Turoa has a beginners’ lift, snowboarding, downhill and cross-country skiing. There’s no road toll or parking fee and daily ski-area transport is available from Ohakune 16km away, which has the liveliest post-ski scene in the north.

Club-operated Tukino (0800 885 466, 06-387 6294; www.tukino.co.nz; daily lift pass adult/child $40/20) is on the eastern side of Mt Ruapehu, 50km from Turangi. It’s quite remote, 14km down a gravel road from the sealed Desert Rd (SH1), and you need a 4WD vehicle to get in (or make a prior arrangement to use club transport). Because access is so limited the area is uncrowded, but most runs are beginner or intermediate.

See Tongariro National Park for more info.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009