Whakapapa - World Snowboard Guide

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Whakapapa, along with sister resort Turoa, is located on the slopes of Mt Ruapehu. As an active Volcano, Mt Ruapehu offers some seriously epic freeriding terrain. The diversity of this terrain is caused by the way the underlying volcano has formed over millions of years. As the largest recognised ski resort in the country, Whakapapa has something for everyone, with plenty of steeps, literally hundreds of cliffs, fast chutes, gullies and big natural banks allowing for some natural freestyle. The Mt Ruapehu lift pass covers both Whakapapa and Turoa, and the company sell a cheap 'early-bird' season pass before the end of April each year.

New for season

08: toilet facilities in base area cafe renovated
07: snowmaking facilities extended, new public shelter with toilet facilities installed
05: NZ$1.5 spent extending snowmaking facilities. Road improvements, new groomer and small trail improvments
04:4 dedicated snow guns for the Halfpipe.

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Resort Statistics

Resort Type: Alpine
Winter: June to Oct

Lifts

Total Lifts: 14
Chair lifts: 7
Drag lifts: 6
Other lifts: 1 learner rope
Max people per hour: 15,000
Board Leashes required: No

Mountain

Total pistes/trails: 67
Total ride area: 550 hectares
Longest run: over 3.5km

Top lift: 2300m
Vertical drop: 670m
First lift: 1630m

Piste suitability

Green runs: 25%
Red runs: 50%
Black runs: 25%

Lift Passes

	Low Season		High Season
		GBP		GBP
Day Pass	83.00		83.00
6-Day Pass	-		-
6-Day Linked area Pass	-		-

		GBP
Season Pass:	719.00

Lift Passes:
2008 Lift Pass Prices:

1-day Adult All Mountain: NZ$83
5-day Anytime Adult All Mountain: NZ$391
Adult Season Pass: NZ$719

Mt Ruapehu lift passes are valid at both Turoa and Whakapapa skifields. Mt Ruapehu Season Passes are on sale throughout the winter season. For a real bargain, buy an Earlybird Season Pass - reduced rate season passes only on sale in April every year (NZ$419 in 2008).
Lift times:8.30am to 4.00pm

Snowfall

Artificial snowmaking coverage: 20%

Facilities

		GBP
Days Rental of Board & Boots:	45.00
4hr Group Lesson (full day):	39.00
4hr Private Lesson (full day):	-

Snowboard Schools: Mt Ruapehu's Snow School offers a huge range of products to cater for everybody's needs, from beginners' group lessons to private tuition, as well as our specialist Adaptive Programme. Our team of friendly, internationally qualified instructors will make your time on the mountain enjoyable and memorable. At Whakapapa we have Happy Valley, New Zealand's premier learning facility with separate rental facilities.
Beginners' lesson package, Discover Snowboard: NZ$90 (2008) - includes Snowboard/Boot rental, 1hr 50min group lesson, beginners' area lift pass and a complimentary sightseeing ride (weather permitting).
Snowboard Hire: Adult Snowboard & Boots 1 day: NZ$45 (2008)
Night Riding: : No