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Today at Whakapapa

cloudy

Low: 4.6°C / High: 4.6°C

Wind: SE 12 km/h

Recent Snowfall

24 hours: 0 cm

7 days: 0 cm

Snow Depth

Base: 0 cm

Season Total

0 cm

Last Updated: Apr 16, 2025View Full Report →

Whakapapa Ski Resort is located on the north-western slopes of Mount Ruapehu in the Tongariro National Park on New Zealand's North Island. As the largest ski resort in New Zealand, Whakapapa offers extensive terrain suitable for all skill levels. Operating during the winter months, typically from June to October, the resort is situated within a UNESCO World Heritage site, providing dramatic volcanic landscapes. Whakapapa is known for its beginner-friendly areas, including Happy Valley, as well as challenging upper mountain terrain.

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.

Whakapapa features an extensive lift network, including chairlifts, gondolas, and surface conveyor lifts, providing access to its vast skiable area. The Sky Waka gondola offers scenic access to the upper mountain. The resort's lift infrastructure is designed to cater to a high volume of visitors and efficiently transport them across different areas of the mountain. Trail maps clearly indicate lift access to designated runs for various ability levels. Regular safety checks and maintenance are conducted on all lifts.

Whakapapa Lift System
Total Ski Lifts = 13
Gondola
1
Gondola
Quad Chair
3
Quad Chair
Triple Chair
2
Triple Chair
T-Bar
7
T-Bar

Whakapapa Resort Elevation

7546ft2300mResort Summit2198ft670mVertical Drop5348ft1630mResort Base
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Trails

Total Runs

67

Total Area

1359 ac

550.0 ha

Difficulty Distribution

Beginner
30%
Intermediate
45%
Advanced
20%
Expert
5%
View Full Trail Map

Location

Whakapapa Ski Resort is located within the Tongariro National Park on the North Island of New Zealand. The nearest towns offering accommodation and services include National Park Village and Turangi, both within a convenient driving distance. Access to Whakapapa is via a sealed mountain road. The resort's location on the slopes of Mount Ruapehu offers unique geological features. The Tongariro National Park is readily accessible from major North Island cities. Visitors should be prepared for alpine weather conditions and check road status before travelling.

Whakapapa

, north-island

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

Season Info

The snow season at Whakapapa typically runs from June to October, benefiting from its high altitude on Mount Ruapehu. The resort generally experiences significant snowfall, providing a reliable snow base throughout the winter months. Early season often sees good coverage on higher slopes, with conditions building through July and August. Spring skiing in September and October can offer pleasant conditions. Snow conditions can be influenced by the volcanic activity of Mount Ruapehu, and the resort provides regular updates.

Current Season

2025

Opening Day

6/29/2025

Closing Day

9/29/2025

Days Open

93

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Annual Snowfall

Metric

3.7m

370cm

Imperial

12.1ft

146in

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