Turoa comes of age

Hat's off to RAL the new chair lift configuration at Turoa for the 2012 season really means this ski area is coming of age as one of New Zealand's best.

On the right hand side you can see a pic of the work being done to build the new return station. This is located on Blyth flat. So we now have the top of the Movenpick and the High Flyer both unloading in this perfect location for access to the Six seater.

Even better the chair now reaches down towards the south east basin an area that offers some nice shape and fall lines. It is also an area that is often frozen so the grooming that will follow the new chair lift will greatly improve access.

By catching the 6 to the top you will now have a new choice for a nice long run down. At the moment a run from the 6 to the giant is fun and this adds to the options. It also greatly improves access back from Triangle and the glacier. Which opens up new advanced options.

Overall we think this is a fantastic improvement to Turoa ski area. We have done our best to show how it effects the trail map further down the page. Not 100% accurate but you get the idea.

We are looking forward to when RAL get started on new chairlifts at Whakapapa something it badly needs. Hopefully sometime in the coming years that will happen.

Opening Dates

Snow and weather the ski fields will open:

16th June 2012 at Turoa

23rd June 2012 at Whakapapa

Season Pass sale
Is on now $430 for adult pass available 2 April - 30 April. Click here for more

The new High Flyer return station is under construction just above the top of the Movenpick. All tower foundations look completed.


Turoa and Whakapapa had some great cover in 2011 click the pics below for a large panorama of Turoa from August mid season.

Q; So when's the next good weather window? Coming this year

Watch this space for window predictions. In 2011 we were not always able to update we hope to improve our update back to its usual status this year

Ruapehu weather forecast What does this year hold?

The weather at Ruapehu is renowned for its volatility that is one thing we can all be absolutely sure of.

The first questions is how much snow this year? Well its early days but we reckon the current pattern indicates there will no shortage of the white stuff in 2012.

As for fine weather well it could be a lottery as it always is at Ruapehu anyway.

Watch this space!

We acknowledge the New Zealand Geonet project and its sponsors EQC and GNS Science for providing its web cam images used here. Mobile webcam at; www.powderhound.co.nz/m

How's the snow?Got rocks

Sorry mate only got rocks. Bring on the winter blizzards