Related Regions: New Zealand, Manawatu-Wanganui, Oceania

Whakapapa Overview

3.6
5 Reviews
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Whakapapa

Whakapapa, New Zealand's largest ski area since joining with Turoa Ski Resort, is part of Tongariro National Park, New Zealand's oldest national park and a world heritage area. Whakapapa is operated under a licence issued by the Department of Conservation and is owned and run by Ruapehu Alpine Lifts Ltd. There are 43 trails with terrain for all ability levels; including off-piste expert terrain. The ski area can be broken into three areas: Happy Valley (a self contained beginners area), the "east" side (where the majority of lifts & services are located), and the "west" side (highlighted by the lift accessed backcountry terrain).

Elevation

Summit

7545ft
Vertical Drop

2198ft
Base

5347ft

Terrain

Beginner Runs

25%

Intermediate Runs

50%

Advanced Runs

25%

Expert Runs

Skiable Terrain

1359 ACRE

Lifts

Total Number Of Lifts: 15
Gondolas & Trams: 0
Eight Person Lifts: 0
High Speed Sixes: 0
High Speed Quads: 0
Quad Chairs: 2
Triple Chairs: 0
Double Chairs: 5
Surface Lifts: 8

Tourist Office

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts Ltd. Privat Bag

Mount Ruapehu

New Zealand

Phone: 64-07-892-3738

snow@whakapapa.co.nz

Important Dates

Projected Opening Ski Season: 06/29/2013

Projected Closing Ski Season: 10/20/2013

Years Open: 13

Whakapapa Reviews

by iceyblast01 9th June 2009
- Overall Rating 5
- Family Friendly 5
- All Mtn. Terrain 5
- Terrain Park 2
- Nightlife 1
Whakapapa Decent Review! MUST READ!

Pros: Good Terrain, Cheap. Off Piste wicked!
Cons: Non-Profit Mountain, Fair ontrail
by anonymous_user 11th July 2008
- Overall Rating 4
- Family Friendly 5
- All Mtn. Terrain 4
- Terrain Park 2
- Nightlife 1
Whakapapa Review

I started ski-ing at Whakapapa a couple of years ago. I am a NZer from the South Island (Queenstown) and have skied in Australia, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Canada and Scotland. I agree,... [! full_review
by anonymous_user 8th November 2007
- Overall Rating 1
- Family Friendly 1
- All Mtn. Terrain 1
- Terrain Park 1
- Nightlife 1
Whakapapa Review

Went to NZ last year and skied this mountain and most of the South Island...The facilities and terrain are poor,second rate and has pretty much the worst apres ski i've come across...Nice... [! full_review
by anonymous_user 19th September 2007
- Overall Rating 5
- Family Friendly 5
- All Mtn. Terrain 5
- Terrain Park 4
- Nightlife 2
Whakapapa Review

;'s>?SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSs yea it was [! full_review