Operating Hours:

Weather-dependent, Whakapapa lifts generally operate 9am–4pm, with occasional extended hours. Other facilities such as cafes will open around 8am for an early breakfast. The season generally runs from late June/early July until Labour Weekend in October.

Travel Times:

• Auckland & Wellington: 4 ½ hours
• Taupō: 1 ½ hours
• Tauranga: 3 ½ hours
• Hawke’s Bay: 3 ¼ hours
• Tūrangi/our shop: 40 mins
• Ohakune: 60 mins
• National Park Township: 20 mins

Terrain Overview:

With over 550 hectares of terrain, Whakapapa is spread out and super accessible. You’ve got the dedicated beginner’s zone (Happy Valley), cruisy groomers, natural rollers, and volcanic gullies as you move up the mountain for some great shredding and progression.

Weather Conditions:

The weather at Mt Ruapehu can change very quickly and is known for its strong winds that whip over the mountain. Always be prepared with the right gear so you're ready for any situation. Even on a hot spring day, conditions can change relatively quickly. Before you go, it’s a good idea to check out the 'Mt Ruapehu Essentials' checklist to make sure you have everything packed, and double-check the MetService website for weather conditions.

Best Times to Visit:

• Skiing/boarding (beginner): July to October. Happy Valley and most beginner slopes are equipped with snowmaking facilities to keep them operational even in low snow seasons.
  
• Skiing/boarding (all mountain): Late July–early September for snow depth and quality. Late September to early October for sunny spring conditions.
  
• Sightseeing: Clear, calm days provide the best panoramic views — especially with a trip on the Sky Waka gondola.

How Busy Does It Get?

Weekends and school holidays are the busiest, especially bluebird days. Midweek and spring skiing tend to be quieter and more chill.

The Whakapapa Access Road:

Sometimes mountain access roads can be quite sketchy, with rough gravel roads, however the access road to Whakapapa – the Bruce Road – is completely sealed and safe. The main thing to keep in mind is that this access road during the season can be restricted to only certain vehicles due to weather conditions.

Road Restriction Scenarios:

As mentioned, the Bruce Road access road can sometimes be put under certain restrictions. Here they are, and what to do:

• No restrictions: Cruise on up.
• Chains required for 2WDs: Fit them at the chain bays.
• 4WD only: No chains required, but drive with care.
• Carparks full: Head down to National Park and jump on a shuttle if they’re running, or try again early the next morning.

Predicting Restrictions:

Typically restrictions are most prevalent July and August as these are the coldest periods of the season. Snowfall most of the time will require 2WD cars to use chains or snow socks

Frequency of restrictions:

Some seasons, we see very little restrictions, and some they are weekly so it’s just the luck of the dice.

How to Plan for Road Restrictions:

• Often this can be difficult, as conditions can change by the hour
• The most common restriction is an early morning ‘4WD or 2WD chains’ restriction when the road is a little icy. Typically this will clear mid-morning once the sun is out and cars have worn in the road, however this may hinder some early morning plans.
• We recommend checking the mountain forecast the night before and first thing in the morning. If the weather looks to be deteriorating, try to organise chains/snowsocks in advance or book a mountain shuttle.
• If there is a restriction, make sure to check the ‘Mountain Road Report’ every half an hour or so as they may un-restrict the road.
• If you are only going sightseeing and not skiing, perhaps head up mid-morning/lunch to allow for any restrictions to pass.
• Sometimes, the weather and road conditions are just too risky to allow cars up, and you’ll have to wait for the storm to pass.
  

Chains and Snow Socks

For those who don't know, 'snow chains' and 'snow socks', are both items that attach to your tires to help grip on snow and ice.

If there is a chain restriction for your vehicle, then you’ll need to track down either snow chains or snow socks.

Snow Chains
✅ Best grip on ice and snow
✅ More durable and suited for repeated use
❌ Heavier, harder to fit (especially the first time)
❌ Increased risk of damaging vehicle, especially if you speed or fit incorrectly
❌ Typically cheaper

Snow Socks
✅ Much easier to fit — great if you’re not confident with chains
✅ Lightweight and compact to store
❌ Not as grippy in heavy snow
❌ Can wear out faster, especially on grit or exposed tarmac
❌ Typically more expensive

Our Take?
Chains are definitely a more tried and true solution, however for occasional use for Ruapehu, snow socks can be very convenient and will perform just as well.

Can You Rent Snow Chains or Snow Socks?
From our research at the start of the 2025 season — we do not know of any company that rents these items.

Shuttle/Bus Options

There are many shuttle companies that operate throughout the winter season — allowing you to easily access Whakapapa when road restrictions are in place.

Most shuttles will pick up and drop off from the National Park Village 'Park and Ride' depot. See it on Google Maps.

We have compiled a list of all shuttle operators for you to choose from. We highly recommend booking a day in advance. If the weather is looking marginal for Saturdays, then we recommend you book your shuttle the Friday night before, or first thing Saturday morning when we know what the road restrictions are for that day.

There is no free shuttle service being operated by the mountain company (Whakapapa) in 2025.

Carparks and Drop Off Zone

Whakapapa contains 10 large ‘day parks’ which span below the base area with 1 being the closest to the base.

In previous years, carparking spaces on Whakapapa had to be booked online. For 2025 however, there is no need to book a carparking space prior to your arrival.

Carparking is now first in — first served. During peak times like school holidays and weekends, we advise driving up to Whakapapa earlier rather than later so you don't miss out on a park. We advise aiming for a 9am – 10am arrival (the earlier the better).

During peak times and very fine weather, there is potentially a risk for the carparks to fill up by mid-morning — hence we recommend a 9AM arrival. However, if you are running a bit late, within a few hours typically carparks start to become free as people head down.

Drop Off Zone
Keep following the Bruce Road all the way to the top of the base and you will see a 10-minute drop off zone. Handy for families — drop the crew and gear off right at the top before heading to park.

Carpark Shuttle
During most of the season, there is a free bus that circuits the carparks — meaning you won’t have to walk to the lifts with all your gear. You will see flags indicating where this will stop. It could be a good idea to consider parking in the ‘day park’ that is closest to this flag, even if you are at one of the lower carparks.

I’m Parked in a Low Day Park!
There will be a small to medium walk to the base, which can be tiring especially with all your gear and kids. A bit of exercise never hurt anyone… but that is why we recommend the drop off zone.

Campers, Buses and Large Vehicles
These vehicles are capable of accessing Whakapapa ski area, however they also have to adhere to the same road restrictions. There are a number of carparks dedicated for these vehicles.

Key Takeaways

• Stay updated by following Whakapapa social media and road reports.
• Plan a contingency such as chains/snow socks or book a mountain shuttle.
• We don’t want to scare you with all this information — but it’s better to be in the know than not 🙂
  
  

Let’s briefly go over some key information. However, we do also offer these two in-depth articles on this topic:

• Planning a Snow Holiday
• Ski Gear Checklist
  

Accommodation Options:

Closest: Whakapapa Village or National Park Village – both are less than a 30-minute drive to the ski lifts.

Our Recommendation: Tūrangi or Tokaanu. Tūrangi is your next closest town to Whakapapa with a great selection of amenities and activities.
Tokaanu has some very cost-effective accommodation options, is close to our shop, peaceful and serene, and features the famous Tokaanu hot pools for that ‘après soak’. Both are around 45 mins to Whakapapa.

Big Town Buzz: Taupō or Ohakune – Your two main tourist towns with supermarkets, dining options, and activities for the whole whānau. Taupo is 1 ½ hours away and Ohakune is about 50 mins

On-Mountain (Lodge Life): Affordable lodge options are available right on the mountain — just steps from the snow. You’ll need to bring your supplies with you as the nearest shops are 40+ minutes away. Google for options.

Planning Tips:

• Book rentals, lift passes, sledding and lessons ahead of time — especially during busy periods.
• Have a backup plan if the weather or lifts shut down (hot pools, cafés, hikes).
  

What to Bring:

It depends on your activity, but we’ve got a full breakdown in our gear checklist article. Whether you're skiing, boarding, or sightseeing, make sure you pack warm waterproof layers and the right gear for the conditions.

Ski Passes:

Whakapapa, Mt Ruapehu, has a range of ski passes that allow you to access either just the beginner area or the whole mountain. These differ in pricing, along with the sightseeing pass for the Skywaka gondola and sledding pass. For the 2025 season, Whakapapa passes cannot be used to access the same facilities at Pure Turoa.

Note: Whakapapa Ski & Snowboard passes are 'undated' which means you can use your pass at any date during that season.

Pass Types:

• All Mountain: Access all terrain
• Lower Mountain: Access Happy Valley and Rangatira Chairlifts (both beginner)
• Sightseeing Pass: Access the Skywaka Gondola for sightseeing only
• Sledding Pass: Access the Whakapapa sledding area for 1 hour

Pass Restrictions:

• Weekday Pass: Access the facilities of your given pass, Monday to Friday
• Weekend Pass: Access the facilities of your given pass, Saturday and Sunday
  

How to Purchase Your Pass:

• We highly recommend purchasing all passes and lessons online. This is by far the quickest option.
• You can also purchase at Whakapapa's customer service area on mountain, however you may have to queue for this.
• Once you have paid for them online, you will receive a confirmation email with a QR code. Scan this code on their self-serve ticket kiosks at the base of the mountain to collect your passes.
• Alternatively, reload your pass from a previous season using your Whakapapa snow card’s unique code online.
• Lessons and Sled Passes: For weekends and school holidays, we recommend booking these a few days to the day before you arrive as there are limited times and spaces for these activities — and you don’t want to miss out or book a time that does not suit your plans.

Snow Card:

• All passes will be linked to a snow card. A new snow card will incur a $5 fee.
• Reload your pass from a previous season using your Whakapapa snow card’s unique code online, or collect a new snow card from one of the main collection kiosks at Whakapapa. You will see them :)
• Make sure to keep your snow card in a different pocket to your phone and credit card, as this may cause scanning issues.

Season Passes:

• Season passes are typically available either near the season end, or a few months before the ski season starts.
• They will start out at a cheaper price and gradually rise in price.
• They are a great idea for someone who is committed to skiing or boarding many days throughout the season. Plus you get amazing perks like half-price passes for friends, discounts on retail and food and discounted season passes for children.
• These perks and prices change seasonally, so it’s best to check and read the terms of the pass before you purchase. You can find information for this on Whakapapa's website.

Lessons / Learning to Ski:

Whakapapa has its own ski school that caters to all ability levels from beginners’ group lessons to advanced private lessons. This is all organised by Whakapapa, so visit their lessons page for more information.

A great day trip option for yourself, family or friends to experience the snow and views at Whakapapa — without having to ski or snowboard.

Sledding:

Sledding is a great beginner activity for first timers to the snow or for those who want to experience a bit of speed and adrenaline without skiing or snowboarding, which can be expensive — especially for a whole family.

There are two sledding options:

Whakapapa’s Own Sledding Area:

• Based in Happy Valley, Whakapapa has a maintained sledding slope — perfect for any age.
• This area is fully maintained with man-made snow, so no matter the natural snowfall level, this facility will be available all season long.
• Your pass includes one sled and access to the carpet lift for your ride back up. No walking required!
• This activity needs to be purchased online via whakapapa.com. You will need to select a 1-hour time slot, and during peak times such as Saturdays and school holidays, these slots will get snapped up fast.
• We recommend booking this at least 24 hours in advance to secure the time slot that suits your plans.
• Children 7 and under will need to sled with an accompanying adult who also has a sled pass.

Bring Your Own Sled / Rent from Snowscene

• Rent a sled from Snowscene — only $10 for the whole day, and loads of fun for everyone! Come in and grab one.
• Definitely the most cost-effective way to sled, you can always bring your own sled and find your own speedy slope to slide down.
• Since Whakapapa is based in a National Park, there are no restrictions on bringing your own sled, however you will need to use these off ski trails and out of the way.
• Typically, the best sled spots are around the base area — behind the customer service building, and to the left of the Gondola loading area.
  (Please note: free sledding spots will depend on how much snowfall there has been. Early or late season, there may not be any options to free sled.)

Best time to sled:

Typically late July to early September when there is the most snow. Check the webcams at whakapapa.com to see if there is good snow coverage. You can always contact us for advice.

Note: Your own sled cannot be taken on the Sky Waka gondola, into Happy Valley, or on any ski trail or high-traffic area.

Sightseeing / Sky Waka Gondola

Don’t forget to take a trip up the Sky Waka gondola. The views from the ride up and the café at the top are phenomenal — literally as far as the eye can see. You don’t want to miss out on this.

Make sure to buy your Sky Waka ride tickets online beforehand to save $10 on your sightseeing pass.

Snow Play
When there’s good snow coverage, you can throw snowballs to your heart’s content! On lower snowfall years, Whakapapa has two designated snow play zones — one in Happy Valley and one at the top of the Sky Waka. Snowmen guaranteed!

Things to Know:

• Be prepared: Even if you’re not planning on skiing or snowboarding, you still need to be prepared for a mountain environment.
  This means having warm, waterproof layers from head to toe. We have a great checklist for you if you're unsure what to pack — and if you find you don’t have these items, they can all be rented from Snowscene Ski and Board — service with a smile!

Lift Facilities

Happy Valley and Rangatira (Lower Mountain):
Happy Valley is Mt Ruapehu’s premiere learners ski slope — separate from the main slopes, so it’s safe and cruisy for learning to ski and board. It contains a mixture of chairlifts and carpet lifts to make your learning experience as enjoyable as possible. This is also where all beginners’ lessons will operate from.

Lifts include:

• Double Happy chairlift
• Two carpet lifts

Happy Valley has its own building complete with:

• Large café
• Toilets
• Storage area
• Lesson-specific ski rentals

Rangatira Chair:
The Rangatira Quad chair allows access to the Rockgarden beginner/intermediate run and is the perfect step up for those who feel like they can graduate from Happy Valley to some more slightly challenging and longer terrain.

Rest of the Mountain (Upper Mountain):
Accessible with the Full Mountain Pass. This will allow you to access 100% of the ski-able terrain at Whakapapa.

Terrain Breakdown:

• 25% beginner
• 50% intermediate
• 25% advanced

Lifts (from base to top):

• Sky Waka Gondola: For sightseeing and intermediate/advanced runs
• Delta Quad Chair: Great beginner to intermediate option
• Valley & Knoll T-bars: High elevation access to intermediate and advanced trails
• Far West T-bar & Quad Chair: Opens up a range of on-trail and off-piste terrain — a favourite for locals

Rental Gear:

Whakapapa does offer on-mountain rental gear, but we HIGHLY recommend getting fitted at a local ski shop such as Snowscene before heading up the hill.

Why rent off-mountain?

• Much faster fit-out (usually under 20 minutes vs an hour at peak times)
• Lower prices
• Friendly local advice on gear and snow conditions
• Everything sorted before you hit the snow

To make sure your ski holiday goes as smoothly as possible, visit Snowscene Ski & Board in Tūrangi — for gear, advice, and friendly service!

Food Options:

• Lorenz’s Café & Happy Valley Bistro: Situated at the base with full menus and hot drinks all day long — loaded with Kiwi faves
• Knoll Ridge Café: NZ’s highest eatery! Three dining areas including restaurant, café, and quick eats — accessible via Sky Waka
  

More Amenities and Facilities

• Toilets: Base area, Happy Valley, and Knoll Ridge Chalet
• Customer Service: Help desk at base area for pass issues and lost property
• Lockers: Available for $10/day — located in the rental area of Happy Valley
• Free Wi-Fi: Available in base areas
• Workshop: For gear tuning and repairs
• EV Parking: Limited EV parking spots at the base

Pros:

• Ideal for learning: Whakapapa is the number one place to learn to ski, snowboard, and experience the snow in the North Island. Happy Valley is a fantastic learners’ area that will have you building skills in a safe, cruisy environment.
• Progression-friendly: Nailed Happy Valley? Whakapapa offers great beginner-to-intermediate runs, perfect for those wanting to level up their skiing or snowboarding.
• Well organised: Once your passes and gear are sorted in advance, Whakapapa runs smoothly. The Whakapapa Report helps you stay informed on conditions before you even leave the house.
• Sky Waka gondola: The Sky Waka is a world-class experience with unbeatable views. It also takes you up to the Knoll Ridge Café, one of the most scenic dining spots in the country.
• Easy mountain access: Bruce Road is sealed the whole way up. As long as there are no restrictions, it’s a safe and simple drive.

Cons:

• Can be expensive: The costs of running mountain facilities are high, and that’s reflected in pass and food prices. You can save by buying season passes early and hiring gear off-mountain.
• Can be busy: Saturday crowds and school holidays can mean big numbers, especially in Happy Valley. Get your passes and rentals sorted ahead of time and arrive early to beat the rush.
• T-bars: Whakapapa features three T-bar lifts. These can be tricky at first, especially for snowboarders, but they’re a good skill to master. Lift staff are always happy to assist — and if you fall off, just scoot to the side and try again. You’ll get there!
• Pure Tūroa’s terrain parks are more extensive than Whakapapa. With a beginner-friendly mini park near the Wintergarden and a more advanced setup alongside the High Noon chair, there’s a steady flow of features — from mellow boxes to bigger jumps and rails. If park laps are your thing, Pure Tūroa’s where it’s at.