Frequently Asked Questions: Ski rental, Mt Ruapehu & more...

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We highly recommend reading our first timers article for the most up to date information on Mt Ruapehu 2023

Read our first timers guide to Mt Ruapehu 2023

Most Frequently Asked Questions

No sorry. No one is the district rents or hires chains.

As far as we are aware there is no company in the North Island that rents snow chains for vehicles.

Yes, we have a selection of chains for sale – Isse Textile Snow Chains [$259 for a set of two for the driving wheels] and a selection of traditional chains made by Alpine Star [$179 for the lighter chain, $325 for the heavier chain].

Go to https://www.issechains.co.nz and use the calculator to determine the size for your vehicle. Textile chains are accepted by Waka Kotahi as a snow chain alternative to use on NZ roads. They are best suited to sealed roads and would not be fit for say the Tukino access road.

See our website for the Alpine Star range. Check your tyre size on the chart and see if there is a chain available for your tyre. It is best to come in to store and we can check we have the correct chain for your tyre size, and we will also fit and demo it to make sure it is the correct size.

The alternative to purchasing chains would be to buy a seat on one of the many shuttle services that operate. All shuttles need to be booked online. Please read our full shuttles guide here

On a severe morning with snow and ice you will be required to fit chains at the beginning of the Bruce Road at Whakapapa Village. Other times you will be required to carry them in case bad weather settles in.

A lot of the time, on fine weather days the chain restriction finishes around 9am or 10am once there has been traffic on the road and the temperature has warmed up.

The road status can be found here: https://www.mtruapehu.com/whakapapa/report

Carparks are allocated on a first in first served basis. There is no booking system. ***TOP TIP*** For saturdays…leave early and get to the mountain at the very least by 9am as you could miss out on a park as they fill up quickly.

Yes – we have tiny Size 0 snowsuits with hoods and snow boots starting at kids size 4.

We have a small selection of tiny mittens for hire. There is not a baby specific mitten or glove, they would be more suited to 1-4 year olds. Its best to come in and try some on but we can’t guarantee they will work.

Its not compulsory to book these items. We have plenty of gear. Just arrive at our store, get yourself fitted out and head to the mountain.

Yes, pick up the night before so you can head to the mountain early. You will only be charge for the day[s] you use the gear. All gear needs to be returned by 6pm on day of hire.

For skiers and boarders, recommend to book your rental gear with us using our online booking system. This can make the fitout procedure quicker. However, walk ins are most welcome!

Yes, we have a basic retail shop with gloves, goggles, socks, helmets for sale. We also have sunscreen, neckwarmers, hats, MFH’s, lipbalm etc.

Rental Gear

Yes, we apply a discount on our normal prices on every extra day of hire. Also, check our deals page and grab yourself a bargain. SEE MULTI RATE DEALS

If you have the gear out on multi day hire, we will organize in store if you need to return the gear every day you don't use it. We are very flexible on this. Often if we do not need the gear, you can keep it with you - even if your not planning to use it.

No sorry :(  Come and see us anyway, we are pretty cheap!

If both Turoa and Whakapapa are closed, or you bring the gear back in the morning DRY AND UNUSED then we will gladly refund your money. 

We need these details in order to setup your bindings so they are safe

We often have ex-rental gear that is available for customers to buy. Let us know in store and we can see what is available

If this is the case, please let us know as we will organize a drop off point for you, or you can bring it in the morning.

No sorry. 

Product Help

Lots of stuff.. check it out HERE

On & Off Mountain Help

Don't worry, we have a handy guide HERE

Not to fear, we have a handy guide to help you out HERE

We have a pretty good idea on the weather forecast, and can advise you on this. BUT we cannot be 100% sure. So best to make a decision HERE

Gear Service and Maintenance

We can get most tune-ups done overnight.

For most skis, we can provide a full tune up, but for boards we can only offer edging and waxes. We cannot full tune wide skis over 100mm waist. For full details, visit HERE