[madmungo]

Hi,

I've just got back from my first ever week of skiing and loved every minute. We are hoping to move out to Auckland in Jan '09 (have PR) and I wonder what opportunities there are for skiing on the north island?

When does the season run? Is it possible to go there for a weekend and stay locally? Most important, how expensive is this as an NZ hobby? Can you afford to go regularly or is it similar to the UK and a costly business?

Cheers, Chris

[jubjub]

Have a google search for Mount Ruapehu (south of Taupo), its a very popluar place in winter here, driveable from Auckland too.

Main ski season would prob be June/July/August

If you get bored in summer there is always Snowplanet up at Silverdale, an all year indoor ski slope.

[Sam B]

We went in September. It's cheaper than the Alps etc, but less facilities too. You can stay locally, range of options from camping to hotel. Queues weren't too bad, runs were good, but not at all extensive when compared to say Courcheval. Very good ski school for kids. We had a great time, despite rubbish weather. Couldn't afford to go often on my Kiwi wages though.

[KerryS]

It's about 4.5 - 5 hours drive down to Ohakune, where most of the accommodation for the mountain is. It's easy to go down on a Friday after work, ski or board all day Saturday and Sunday and then drive back for work on Monday. I do it quite a lot during the winter. The skifields are Whakapapa and Turao, and both offer reasonably good skiing and boarding.
If you plan on going regularly then it's definitely worth buying a season lift pass. It's about $400 for a season, so a huge saving on day passes, which are about $80 I think.

Mt Ruapehu has a great webpage, so it may be worth checking it out for more info.

[andygjones]

Hiya, we're hoping to move to auckland next year and just found out about this ski area on the north island- very excited! Just wondering what the ski conditions are like in the Ruapehu area. More icy than powdery? Is it really completely treeless and therefore sunny and icy? Can you expect regular snowfall each week or does it go for weeks without any decent snowfall? Any info regarding the general snow conditions would be great. Thanks!

[Questor]

Visit www.mtruapehu.com and that gives you all the info about conditions etc.

The thing to remember that it's only open about 10/12 weeks at the most, due to the fact it doesn't get that cold up here in the North :D
Jon

[bumpffslam]

I used to live in Ohakune - very quiet at any time other than weekends in ski season (only 4 houses out of 32 in our street had permanent residents, the rest were occasional weekenders).

An amazing drive up the mountain - lush rain forest at Okakune, ending in bare "lunar landscape" at the top. No trees on the slopes - less things to bump into! Oh and don't forget you are skking on an active volcano!

Regarding the skiing,Turoa on a good day is wonderful - but there aren't many good days. It can be bitter and windy. The "slopes" are often in rocky gulleys - plenty of snow in the bottom of the gulley but rocky on the sides. If you have skied in the Scotland,then it will feel similar.

Lots of boarders crusiing, good "snow park facilities". Good beginners areas. During good weather, a few interesting but not long powder runs.

Lift crowding is only a problem on good weather weekends.

Facilities have improved immensely in the last 12 months, but don't expect cute european cafes and shops on the slopes.

It's skiing - but not as we knew it!!

[benandclare]

Was talking to couple of Kiwi's yesterday on the lift at Mount Hutt, South Island and they were here for a months holiday as in their opinion the skiing at Mount Ruapehu is rubbish compared to the South Island, too crowded, poor wet snow, not enough snow, each to their own ;)