Peak Elevation
2,300 m
7,546 ft
Vertical Drop
670 m
2,198 ft
Skiable Area
550 ha
1,359.05 ac
Avg Snowfall
178 cm
70 in
Lifts
11
About
Whakapapa is the largest ski area in New Zealand, on the northern slopes of the active volcano Mt Ruapehu in Tongariro National Park. It rises to about 2,300 m with roughly 670 m of vertical and 550 hectares of terrain across 67 named runs. The Sky Waka gondola climbs to 2,020 m; the field reopened under Whakapapa Holdings after Ruapehu Alpine Lifts' 2022-23 liquidation.
Terrain
Difficulty Breakdown
Lifts & Conditions
Amenities
Operated by Whakapapa Holdings Limited
Data validated from official sources but may be incomplete or outdated. Always verify with the resort directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many lifts does Whakapapa - Mt Ruapehu have?
Whakapapa - Mt Ruapehu has 11 ski lifts, with a combined uphill capacity of approximately 26,300 riders per hour.
What is the vertical drop at Whakapapa - Mt Ruapehu?
Whakapapa - Mt Ruapehu has a vertical drop of 2,198 feet (670 meters).
What is the peak elevation of Whakapapa - Mt Ruapehu?
The summit of Whakapapa - Mt Ruapehu sits at 7,546 feet (2,300 meters) above sea level.
How many trails does Whakapapa - Mt Ruapehu have?
Whakapapa - Mt Ruapehu has 67 marked trails, totaling roughly 46 miles of skiing.
How big is the skiable terrain at Whakapapa - Mt Ruapehu?
Whakapapa - Mt Ruapehu covers 1,359.05 acres (550 hectares) of skiable terrain.
Does Whakapapa - Mt Ruapehu offer night skiing?
No, Whakapapa - Mt Ruapehu does not offer night skiing.
Does Whakapapa - Mt Ruapehu have snowmaking?
Yes, Whakapapa - Mt Ruapehu has snowmaking to supplement natural snowfall and extend the ski season.
How much snow does Whakapapa - Mt Ruapehu get each year?
Whakapapa - Mt Ruapehu averages around 70 inches (178 cm) of snowfall per season.