Whakapapa - Mt Ruapehu, New Zealand
Resort life
There's no 'real' town servicing Whakapapa. There are some good local facilities in the varying villages all in easy reach of the slopes, such as Whakapapa Village and National Park Township. Prices vary, but on the whole it's reasonably affordable.
Nightlife
Best option for nightlife is finding out where the staff are! Thursday nights is the big night at the Tussock Bar in Whakapapa Village because it is employee pay day. The other popular hangouts include Schnapps Bar, The Hotel and The Park, all in National Park Township.
Accomodation
There is accommodation to suit all budgets from backpackers to a 5 star hotel. See the Mt Ruapehu website for details.
Hotel search
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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NZD | GBP | NZD | GBP | |
| Day Pass | 83.00 | 37.73 | 83.00 | 37.73 |
| 6-Day Pass | - | - | - | - |
| 6-Day Linked area Pass | - | - | - | - |
| NZD | GBP | |
|---|---|---|
| Season Pass: | 719.00 | 326.84 |
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
| NZD | GBP | |
|---|---|---|
| Days Rental of Board & Boots: | 45.00 | 20.46 |
| 4hr Group Lesson (full day): | 39.00 | 17.73 |
| 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
Other activities
Heliboarding: :
Not available
Snowmobiles:
Not available
Further information
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Summary
Amazing terrain but inconsistent weather
MONEY WISE: Average, but cheap season passes
Terrain & parks
HALFPIPE:
Yes - 1
TERRAIN PARK:
Yes - 1 beginner-intermediate
BACKCOUNTRY/OFF-PISTE:Yes
TREE RUNS:No
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