Learn to ski , Ruapehu

Tips for getting started

Learning to ski at Mount Ruapehu Mount Ruapehu is well set up for beginner skier's and snowboarders the main areas for beginners are briefly profiled here. Happy Valley (Whakapapa) - Best all round At Whakapapa ski field Happy Valley offers beginners one of New Zealand's best areas to get started. Happy Valley is separate from the main ski area and is sheltered. It features its own cafe and a great set of beginner resources. It even includes a beginners chairlift! The Alpine Meadow (Turoa) - Friendly and easy to access. At the base area of Turoa ski field the Alpine meadow is a friendly place with a cool sledding park for the kids to enjoy if they don't want to ski yet. Its close to the cafe and toilets and is a little less sheltered than Happy Valley but well recommended. The Winter Garden (Turoa) More challenging Catch the chairlift up at Turoa once you have found your feet and you can enjoy this slightly more advanced beginners area. It also offers an easy trail to the bottom of the mountain if you are feeling brave! This trail can be very difficult at times, go if there is plenty of snow on the lower mountain. If there is not much flag it. The Alpine meadow at Turoa a friendly spot for first timers and young families

Powderhound Tips For Beginners

Have the courage!
Getting started can be really hard but be patient and you will discover a lifetime gift.

When to go

Its best to start your mountain experience with fine weather, this can be a challenge with Mount Ruapehu so sometimes a trip to Queenstown can be better as the weather is virtually always fine. If that not an option (it can be very costly) then keep an eye on our home page as we regularly advise when the good days will be.

Come on tell us when!
These things said we recommend late August early September for your fist trip to Mount Ruapehu. The conditions at the mountain are different every year but this is the best time generally.

The weather

This is the big challenge at Ruapehu. We will be straight with you if its no good do something else and bide your time for a good day and trust us sometimes it can be really bad. Just plain unpleasant. But if you get the good day you will remember it for a long time.

Your clothing

All beginners take note - if you do not have the right clothing you will not enjoy yourself anywhere as much!

You can hire gear on the mountain or in Ohakune. You need to hire a good quality jacket and pants.

We recommend you buy yourself some polypropylene underwear, a good beany and some high quality gloves. This last item is essential for beginners as a waterproof glove is a big help when you getting up all the time.

So in summary. A polyprop top, then say an Icebreaker, then a jacket, maybe a fleece as well if you feel the cold. Good quality ski pants with polyprop leggings if you feel the cold (mandatory for the ladies normally)

Add to this your gloves, hat and sunglasses and you will be ready for action! Goggles are good for cold days.

A friend who knows

See if you can go with a friend who has some mountain experience this is always a big help.

Kids on the mountain

Kids love the snow and have a lot of fun in it. Check out the editors daughters enjoying the fun. See how we  dressed them, that is key! Kids need very warm clothing. They also need regular food and fluid on the mountain. Carry snacks with you, they will munch them down fast!

Also note young children's tolerance to altitude is less than adults so take them for a morning not the full day. They will get grizzly for no reason when they have had enough! Overall have a plan.

Hiring the gear
On the mountain you get better packages but it can be very busy. In the town its generally faster but you don't get the benefit of the beginner packages.

Carrying the gear

Watch how other people carry there gear its a bit of an art.

Getting a lesson

A must do for all beginners. Getting started can be really hard but be patient and you will discover a lifetime gift.

How to have Fun!

Learn to have fun in the snow without stressing about becoming an ski or snowboard expert right away.

For example - hire a sled and go down the sled parks, build a snowman or have snow fight. Mix these things with your first ski lesson and you will have fun. Learning can be tough and its important you get a positive mountain experience. Go with fun in mind especially if you are taking the kids.