Tongariro National Park / Ruapehu
Tongariro World Heritage National Park
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Mt Ruapehu Accommodation & Activities and Ski Resorts Guide NZ
SKI RESORTS at Mt Ruapehu
Follow these links to New Zealand Ski Itineraries including the Mt Ruapehu/Tongariro National Park region:
Tongariro National Park is the oldest national park in New Zealand, and the fourth national park established in the world. The active volcanic mountains Mt Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro are located in the centre of the park.
The park includes many towns around its boundary including Ohakune, Waiouru, National Park Village, Whakapapa & Turoa Skifield and Turangi.
The main activities are hiking and climbing in summer, and skiing and snowboarding at the local ski resorts on Mt Ruapehu . There is also opportunities for hunting, game fishing, mountain biking, e-biking, rafting and scenic flights. Other popular activities in the region include quad biking and guided tours.
Mount Tongariro and its surroundings are one of the several locations where Peter Jackson shot the Lord of the Rings trilogy; tours to view these places are commonly arranged by the tour's operators and lodges.
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing in the park is one of New Zealand's most spectacular tramping tracks, and is considered the most popular one day tramp in New Zealand. The Tongariro National Park is a World Heritage site which has the distinction of dual status, as it has been acknowledged for both its natural and cultural significance. A number of tour operators provide transport for this trek from Taupo and within the park, with hiking equipment available for hire.
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.
Ski Mt Ruapehu
The slopes of Mt Ruapehu are a year round tourist attraction, with it's 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.
A variety of accommodation is available in this region, from backpackers, budget ski lodges to luxury 5 star resorts.
Scroll down to find accommodation and activities in the Tongariro National Park.
