North Island Snow

My family and I are spending two weeks on the North Island of NZ in late September. We plan to spend 3 days in the Ruapehu region and were hoping to catch some semi decent snow.

Neither my husband or I are particularly good or experienced snowboarders and our kids have never seen snow so we aren't looking for double blacks but would like enough to have some fun for a couple of days.

What are our chances?

If there isn't much snow is it still worth staying in Ohakune - we enjoy bushwalking etc (although the kids are probably too young to do the Tonagrira Alpine trek)?

re the Alpine crossing: it is 19km and lots of ascent and descent, and there's no halfway exit routes. If there is snow it is even more non-trivial.

www.doc.govt.nz will give you all the details on walks throughout NZ.

There should be enough snow to have some fun on the slopes in September.
If the weather is not suitable for that, there are many walks in the area - Ohakune and National Park Village. Also lots of off road cycling tracks, with cycle hire available in both towns, so you will have plenty to do.
Its possible to do a guided winter trip of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Its on my list for this winter - really looking forward to it.I think the walks on the northern side of the mountain near Whakapapa are nicer than the ones near Ohakune, particularly for that time of year.
You could just do part of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, and walk in as far as snow and children allow, then walk out. Still a great outing in a wonderful environment.

I have a place at Ohakune. Yes there should be snow at that time and from Ohakune you would ski Turoa. Ohakune is a cool little town. Lots of good cafés etc. and yes it is abundant in really good walks. They are mainly off the road from Ohakune up to the ski field. And just out of Ohakune on that road on the right ( just after the rail over bridge) there is a Dept of Conservation office with all the maps etc.
Gd luck