Whakapapa

Whakapapa spreads across the northern slopes of Mt Ruapehu, offering the North Island's most extensive skiing terrain. Set within the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Tongariro National Park, this remarkable volcanic landscape provides 550 hectares of diverse terrain. From the expansive Happy Valley beginners' area to the challenging black diamonds of the Far West, Whakapapa combines natural grandeur with exceptional skiing opportunities.

Live Whakapapa Webcams

The Staircase Slopes

Every 10 minutes

Elevation: 1758m / 5768ft

Positioned at the top of Rangatira Express Chair, this Whakapapa webcam offers an upward view of the popular Staircase run, giving skiers a perfect preview of conditions on this central slope.

View All Whakapapa Webcams

A comprehensive network of lifts services Whakapapa's varied terrain, anchored by the Sky Waka gondola - New Zealand's most advanced alpine transport system. Ascending 1.8 kilometres in just 5 minutes, this modern gondola provides comfortable access to the Knoll Ridge Chalet at 2,020 meters. Additional chairlifts and surface lifts extend across the mountain, serving terrain from gentle learning slopes to advanced volcanic features.

Whakapapa Lift System

Total Ski Lifts = 13

Gondola

Quad Chair

Triple Chair

T-Bar

Whakapapa Resort Elevation

Trails

Total Runs

Total Area

1359 ac

550.0 ha

Difficulty Distribution

Beginner

30%

Intermediate

45%

Advanced

20%

Expert

View Full Trail Map

Location

Positioned in the heart of the North Island, Whakapapa is accessible from both Auckland and Wellington. The drive through Tongariro National Park reveals ancient lava flows and dramatic volcanic scenery. From the upper mountain, skiers enjoy breathtaking views across the Central Plateau, with visibility stretching to Mount Taranaki and Lake Taupo on clear days. This alpine setting, enriched by its cultural significance to Māori, creates an unmatched skiing environment.

Whakapapa

, north-island

Toggle layers using the controls in the top right. Ski runs and lifts are shown in the overlay.

Season Info

Operating from June through October, with spring skiing often extending into November, Whakapapa benefits from its high-altitude position. The extensive snowmaking system, including New Zealand's largest Happy Valley beginner area, ensures reliable early-season conditions. The unique volcanic terrain creates natural snow-holding features, while spring brings classic corn snow conditions and extended daylight hours for longer skiing sessions.

Current Season

2025

Opening Day

6/29/2025

Closing Day

9/29/2025

Days Open