Perched on the southwestern slopes of Mt Ruapehu, Pure Tūroa is a snow lover's paradise, offering vast terrain, breathtaking views, and a relaxed atmosphere. It's renowned for its expansive runs, natural features, and the highest lifted point in New Zealand.
Whether you're learning to ski, enjoying the panoramic sightseeing views, or carving your way across upper mountain trails, Pure Tūroa is an excellent destination for your crew, family, or solo mission
Operating Hours:
Pure Tūroa’s lifts typically operate from 9am to 4pm, weather permitting, with occasional extended hours when conditions allow. On-mountain cafés usually open around 8am — ideal for an early breakfast before the day begins. The season generally runs from late June or early July through to Labour Weekend in October.
Travel Times:
Terrain Overview:
With around 500 hectares of rideable terrain, Pure Tūroa is wide open and easy to explore. From the mellow beginner’s slope (Alpine Meadow) to flowing groomers, natural halfpipes, and volcanic drops, there’s something for every level — and plenty of room to stretch out your turns.
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:
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 Pure Tūroa Access Road:
The road to Pure Tūroa — Ohakune Mountain Road — is fully sealed and winds its way up through beautiful native forest to the base of the ski field. It’s a stunning drive on a good day, but like any alpine road, it can get icy or snow-covered in winter. 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 Ohakune Mountain Road access road can sometimes be put under certain restrictions. Here they are, and what to do:
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:
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 a few independent shuttle services that run from Ohakune/National Park Village to Pure Tūroa, throughout the winter season — allowing you to easily access the field when restrictions are in place.
Most people will drive to Ohakune township and park their car depending on where the shuttle is scheduled to pick them up from. Make sure to check with your shuttle provider ahead of time to confirm where they recommend parking for the day. Most shuttles pick up from Thames Street in Ohakune, and the ride up the mountain takes around 20 minutes. There are also a few shuttle options running from National Park Village.
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 (Pure Turoa) in 2025.
Carparks and Drop Off Zone
Pure Turoa contains 3 large ‘day parks’ which span below the base area with 1 being the closest to the base.
Carparking is first in — first served. During peak times like school holidays and weekends, we advise driving up to Pure Tūroa 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).
Pure Tūroa, with less demand than other fields, typically does not reach carpark capacity throughout the season. However, on the odd occasion during peak times, it can happen — so we still recommend aiming to arrive by 10am.
Drop-Off Zone
At Pure Tūroa, the drop-off zone near the top of Ohakune Mountain Road is typically reserved for buses and minivans rather than private vehicles. The good news? The walk from any of the day parks to the base area is relatively quick — so once you’ve parked up, it’s just a short stroll to the lifts.
Carpark Shuttle
Unlike Whakapapa, Pure Turoa does not operate a roaming carpark shuttle
I’m Parked in a Low Day Park!
The walk from the 3 main day parks is relatively short, and typically only the top two parks — which are closest to the base — fill up during busy periods
Campers, Buses and Large Vehicles
These vehicles are capable of accessing Pure Tūroa 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
Let’s run through a few essentials — but if you want a full rundown, check out these two handy guides:
Accommodation Options:
Closest: Ohakune is the main base town for Pure Tūroa — just 20 minutes from the ski area and full of great food spots, apres bars, and accommodation. Big mountain town vibes, with mighty Ruapehu in full view
Larger towns nearby: Taupō or Turangi – Your two main tourist towns with supermarkets, dining options, and activities for the whole whānau. Make sure to call passed our shop on the way for rental gear!
On-Mountain (Lodge Life): There are no on-mountain lodging options available at Pure Turoa
Planning Tips:
What to Bring:
Your gear depends on what you’re planning to do — ski, board, or just check out the views — but at the very least you’ll want:
For a full checklist, check out our gear guide — and remember, we rent the lot at Snowscene if you’re missing anything!
Ski Passes:
Pure Tūroa offers a range of ski passes depending on what you’re planning — whether that’s learning in the beginner area or exploring the full mountain. Pricing varies based on the access level you choose.
Note: For the 2025 season, Pure Tūroa and Whakapapa operate under separate systems — passes aren’t interchangeable between the two fields.
Pass Types:
Pass Restrictions:
How to Purchase Your Pass:
Snow Card:
Season Passes:
Lessons / Learning to Ski:
Pure Turoa has its own ski school that caters to all ability levels from beginners’ group lessons to advanced private lessons. This is all organised by Pure Turoa, so visit their lessons page for more information.
Lift Pass | Weekend Price | Weekday Price |
---|---|---|
Adult All Mountain | $159 | $99 |
Youth (age 6–16) All Mountain | $99 | $79 |
Senior (65–74) All Mountain | $129 | $89 |
Infant (0–5) All Mountain | FREE | FREE |
Lift Pass | Adult (17–64) | Youth (6–16) | Senior (65–74) |
---|---|---|---|
3-Day Flexi Pass | $399 | $249 | $349 |
5-Day Flexi Pass | $599 | $379 | $549 |
7-Day Flexi Pass | $799 | $499 | $749 |
2-Day Consecutive Pass | $299 | $189 | $249 |
5-Day Consecutive Pass | $399 | $239 | $349 |
7-Day Consecutive Pass | $499 | $289 | $449 |
A trip to Pure Tūroa isn’t just for skiers and boarders — it’s an epic spot for a snow day with the crew, the whānau, or even just a solo mission if you’re after those alpine views and winter vibes.
NOTE: Sledding and Sighting Passes are not available online. You can purchase these on mountain from guest services or retail
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:
Pure Turoa's Own Sledding Area:
Bring Your Own Sled / Rent from Snowscene
Best time to sled:
Typically late July to early September when there is the most snow. Check the webcams at Pureturoa.nz to see if there is good snow coverage. You can always contact us for advice.
Note: Your own sled cannot be taken on any chairlift, into the Alpine Meadow area or on any ski trail or high-traffic area.
Sightseeing
Make sure to jump on the Parklane Chairlift and head up to Snowflake Café and the viewing area — the views from up there are next level, stretching right across the Central Plateau. It’s a must-do for non-skiers or anyone keen to soak up the alpine scenery.
You'll need a sightseeing pass to access the chairlift — and like everything on the mountain, it's weather-dependent. Check the Pure Tūroa Mountain Report in the morning before you go.
Snow Play
When there’s good snow coverage, you can throw snowballs to your heart’s content! On lower snowfall years, Pure Turoa will create dedicated snow play zones at the base of the field and up at the Snowflake Cafe (requires a sightseeing or ski pass)
Things to Know:
Lift Pass | Sat/Sun Price | Weekday Price |
---|---|---|
Sledding Pass (1 Hour) – per sled | $35 | $35 |
Infant (0–4) | FREE | FREE |
Lift Pass | Sat/Sun Price | Weekday Price |
---|---|---|
Adult Sightseeing | $35 | $35 |
Youth Sightseeing (6–16) | $35 | $35 |
Infant Sightseeing (0–4) | FREE | FREE |
Lift Facilities
Alpine Meadow (Beginner Zone):
Alpine Meadow is Pure Tūroa’s designated beginner area — set slightly aside from the main slopes, it’s the perfect spot to start learning in a mellow, safe environment. It’s also where most beginner group lessons take place.
The alpine meadow is situated right next to a good amount of amenities such as their main cafe and customer service center
Lifts include:
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 Pure Turoa.
Terrain Breakdown:
Lifts (from base to top):
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?
Food Options:
There are THREE cafe’s with a range of food options for you to choose from:
More Amenities and Facilities
Pros:
Cons:
If it’s your first time—or one of your first times—skiing or boarding, here’s how we’d recommend easing into it at Pure Turoa.
Start here:
Head straight to Alpine Meadow. This is the main beginner slope and a great spot to get the hang of things in a mellow, controlled environment. No pressure, just good vibes and soft turns.
Next steps:
Once you're feeling steady and can link a few turns, your next move is over to the Wintergarden Platter or Parklane Chairlift. These lifts give access to long, cruisy runs that are perfect for building confidence. We especially recommend giving Clarry’s Track a go—it’s a gentle gradient and super fun for progressing.
Intermediate skiers and boarders – you’re in for a good time.
Warm-up runs:
If it’s been a while since your last lap, start off with a few cruisy laps through Alpine Meadow, Park Lane, or the Wintergarden Platter. These mellow trails are ideal for getting those ski or snowboard legs back under you.
Progression:
Once you're feeling good, it’s time to head up High Noon or the Giant Chairlift. These lifts unlock a range of blue and easier black runs. High Noon is a fast lift with quick laps, and trails like Vertigo or Upper Freeway (which runs right under the lift) are epic for stepping things up a notch.
If you're a confident skier or boarder, head straight for the High Noon Chairlift. From there, the real adventure begins.
Check out the outer East and West trails on the map—these offer some of the longest and most exciting terrain at Pure Turoa. You’ll find a good mix of blues and blacks, with natural bowls, steep pitches, and that epic volcanic landscape Turoa is known for. Plenty of space to pick your line and let it rip.
Head to the top of the Parklane Chair and outside Freddie’s Café — on a clear day, the views stretch right across the Central Plateau. Perfect for a scenic snap or a solid Instagram moment.
Typically, refunds are not offered on any Pure Turoa pass - unless specifically stated. If you have not scanned your pass, or have only used it for under an hour - you could visit Pure Turoa Customer service and try your luck
Note: Pure Turoa passes are 'undated' which means you can use your pass at any date during that season.
Things to keep in mind when parking at Pure Turoa:
You can purchase your lift ticket either:
There’s no official public bus, but several private shuttle services operate out of Ohakune and other nearby towns.
More info here: Snowscene Shuttle Blog
Yep! The mountain is closely monitored. Eruption risk is low and there are strong safety protocols.
NO. Not anymore.
Parking is now first in – first serve, so we recommend arriving earlier rather than too late to avoid being delayed to park your car.
From what we know, you are unable to rent snow chains or snow socks. You can purchase them new however from shops like Snowscene.
Yes, you can either rent a sled at Pure Turoa and use their maintained sledding zone. Or bring your own! See our sledding section for more info.
Group lessons usually age 4+ (ski) and age 6+ (board). No children allowed in carriers on the slopes.
You cannot access the Alpine Meadow ski/snowboard snow area without a ski or snowboard pass.
Pure Turoa does offer a range of kids day activites and school holiday programs. Visit their website for options.
Baby gear like backpacks or front carriers is okay for sightseeing but not on ski trails. Strollers are not recommended, but permitted
In a nutshell, yes you can but it can be dangerous to ski out of bounds so you need to be prepared and do this at your own risk. We do often get questions regarding backcountry skiing, however we feel we are not knowledgeable enough to provide guidance on this. Your best bet would be to check out social media for North Island backcountry groups who can answer your questions. We do not rent backcountry equipment such as touring skis or avalanche kits.
Yes! However sightseeing activities may be restricted as guests will need to ride on an exposed chairlift, compared to a fully covered gondola at Whakapapa