Apr29, 2021posted by Carol.L

Visit Mt Ruapehu

Mount Ruapehu, Tongariro is a large active volcano and the highest point in the North Island, reaching 2,797 m (9,177 feet). The mountain dominates the Central Plateau, along with its two neighbours, Mount’s Ngauruhoe and Tongariro. Mt Ruapehu is New Zealand's largest skiing and snowboarding area, and is home to Whakapapa, Turoa & Tukino ski resorts. Mt Ruapehu is surrounded by many picturesque towns and villages, each set in stunning natural surrounds with their own special character offering everything you need to explore and enjoy the region.

Visitors can base themselves in many of the surrounding towns to enjoy this Winter wonderland. Choose a ski holiday, or if you are not keen on skiing the slopes, there is plenty of alternative activities for all ages.

Ski Mt Ruapehu

The slopes of Mt Ruapehu are a year-round tourist attraction, with its gondola operating tours up the mountain in the summer, and providing great skiing at the areas ski resorts on Whakapapa and Turoa skifields in the winter.

Whakapapa - NZ's largest ski area. 550 hectares of incredible terrain awaits you! Whakapapa is NZ's largest ski area & boasts the country's premier beginner facility Happy Valley along with vast intermediate and advanced trails. Explore everything from cruisy groomers to exhilarating chutes, bumps & drops, made all the more exciting by the natural volcanic terrain. Beginner 30% | Intermediate 45% | Advanced 25%
Turoa - Turoa, on the south western slopes of Mt Ruapehu, has the nation’s longest vertical drop at 722m. The High Noon Express takes you to the highest lifted point in NZ with panoramic views of the North Island. Rip up plenty of gullies, drops, natural hits, wide trails & world class terrain parks. Much of the landscape resembles frozen waves.
Happy Valley - Just learning or finding your feet? Whakapapa's Happy Valley is NZ's premier learners' facility. A fully self-contained learners’ area and gentle slope is nice and long, allowing for plenty of time to really get the hang of turning and stopping, with easy to use carpet lifts.
Sky Waka Sightseeing - Experience the Sky Waka gondola at Whakapapa and cruise high above the maunga, 2020m above sea level to the striking Knoll Ridge Chalet. Breathtaking in summer or winter.

Mt Ruapehu Tourist Activities

The Alpine Crossing one-day hiking track across the summit of Mount Tongariro is one of the Park’s most acclaimed walks, offering close-up views of huge craters, coloured mineral pools, hot springs and boiling mud-pools. This is a challenging walk of 6-8 hours. Inexperienced trampers are recommended to join a guided walking party, such as those run by the Department of Conservation in the summer months.

Shorter, less challenging walks include several around the lower slopes of Ruapehu, through broken volcanic landscape with waterfalls and small lakes, alpine meadows, and subalpine forests. Longer walks also include the 3-day Tongariro Circuit.

Mountain biking trails around the park including “The 42 Traverse,” a 46 kilometre trail with long downhill sections, regarded as one of NZ’s premier MTB trails.

The rivers around the central plateau offer some of New Zealand’s best trout fishing. It is possible to join a guided fishing party, or try your luck with rented gear at a location of your choice.

Kayaking, rafting, and jet boat expeditions on the Tongariro and Whanganui Rivers offer a different perspective to the alpine view, winding amongst thickly forested ravines and canyons, open stretches and white water.

Where to Stay

Mt Ruapehu is surrounded by many picturesque towns and villages. Set in stunning natural surrounds and each with their own special character, Ruapehu's towns offer everything you need to explore and enjoy the region. Most towns accommodate ski and hiking gear hire shops, so it is not necessary to purchase specific apparel for your chosen activity. In the Winter months it snows in the town centres of most of these towns making a fun place to play for everyone.

National Park Village - National Park Village sits close to the south-western boundary of Tongariro National Park. It is a popular accommodation base for those skiing or hiking in the mountains. Mt Ruapehu skifields and ski resorts and the walking tracks of Tongariro are within easy reach of National Park Village. National Park provides accommodation and ski resorts for skiers. Mountain biking, quad biking, river rafting, and kayaking have joined the range of nearby activities to be enjoyed. Not far from National Park Village are Mt Ruapehu skifields, ski resorts and walking tracks of Tongariro, or to towns along the rugged Whanganui River, from where rafting and kayaking tours depart. There is a very good range of accommodation available at National Park Village. Motel, hotel, bed & breakfast ski resorts and country lodge establishments provide food and accommodation, while backpacker lodges, holiday park and self-contained units provide for self-catering.

Ohakune - The closest town to Turoa the skifield, Ohakune is popular in summer for hiking, mountain biking and horse trekking. Ohakune’s early industry revolved around forestry and sawmilling. Today, it is dominated by tourism and horticulture. Visitors to the town are greeted by a giant fibreglass carrot sculpture, in recognition that the area produces most of New Zealand’s carrot crop. Ohakune has been called New Zealand’s après ski capital, with numerous restaurants, cafes and bars. Ohakune hosts a number of annual events, including a short film festival and a Mardi Gras. The town has a lively nightlife, especially in the Winter months of the ski season. Ohakune is a departure point for tours on the Whanganui River, to the famous Bridge to Nowhere and beyond. Ohakune has a vast range of places to stay; from the traditional ski lodge with an open fire; to holiday homes for families and groups.

Raetihi - The road south from Raetihi meets the Whanganui River at Pipiriki, where tours by kayak, raft and jet boat are available. Some pleasant walks and cycling trails local to the town include the Makotuku River and Old Coach Road trails. The national park area to the north has a further range of options for hikers and bikers, including multi-day trips. The Whanganui, described in the 19th Century as “the Rhine of the south,” winds through forested hills, pasture lands and gorges. Its incredible beauty has always attracted tourism. Today, river adventures by kayak and jet boat operate from Pipiriki, 25 km south of Raetihi. Raetihi has a good range of accommodation options, including motor lodges, bed & breakfast establishments, lodges and holiday homes for rent. There is also backpacker accommodation.

Whakapapa Village – Just 4km’s to Whakapapa Skifield, Whakapapa Village is nestled into the lower slopes on the western side of Mount Ruapehu. Whakapapa Village marks the base of the Bruce road and the gateway to the Whakapapa ski field. The settlement is landmarked by the elegant Chateau Tongariro Hotel, a large heritage hotel, built in 1929.

The village also offers less expensive accommodation, including campsites, lodges and motels. As the village is the main entrance into the Tongariro National Park, there are many beautiful short and longer walking tracks begin here. The central location of the village within the national park gives spectacular views of all three volcanoes.

In winter, shuttle buses operate to and from Whakapapa, a ski field boasting extensive, wide open volcanic terrain, which includes 30 runs and cafés. Summer is a time for canoeing, white water rafting and hiking in the Tongariro National Park. Expeditions include the Tongariro Alpine Crossing and Tongariro Northern Circuit.

Ski, Snowboard and alpine gear hire is available right in the village.

Taumarunui - Driving from Taumarunui to the Tongariro National Park (Ruapehu) takes about 45 minutes. The town of Taumarunui sits on the Adventure Highway (State Highway 4) and starts the Forgotten World Highway in the central King Country of the North Island. Part of the Ruapehu District, Taumarunui is centrally located – detour through here to either Auckland or Wellington. This is a beautiful scenic route with views of Mt. Ruapehu and the Wanganui River. Taumarunui provides access to the Whanganui National Park, Dual Listed World Heritage Tongariro National Park and the Pureora Timber Trail. Along these highways of wide-open spaces are many recreational activities and outdoor pursuits such as canoeing, jetboating, fishing, golfing, mountain biking, cycle trails, walks, tramps and rail cart rides along with many others.