Why Ski in New Zealand?
New Zealand is a relatively small country renowned for its friendliness and spectacular scenery. Large mountains falling to rugged coastline, rolling pastures, white sandy beaches, island hideaways - this is a land of contrasts.

Our commercial areas, while not the mammoth resorts of Europe or North America all have their own distinct character, and many offer world class facilities including snowmaking, state of the art snow grooming, and comprehensive base and dining facilities.

The smaller club fields are often run by a group of enthusiasts and have simple facilities such as rope tow or T-bar lifts, generally no snow grooming, but good day lodges and often a more social atmosphere.

When to ski in New Zealand?
The ski season in New Zealand runs generally from June through to early November. Mt Hutt is always the first area to open, usually in late May or June, with the others opening in late June or early July.

June and July being colder (although still comparatively mild) can offer some good powder skiing. August is the peak month in which to ski, and September and October offer a variety of skiing from spring skiing conditions to powder - depending on the weather!.

When not to ski .......
Skiing is popular in New Zealand so plan your ski vacation to avoid the school holiday periods if possible. In 2003 these are:

* July 5 - July 20
* September 20 - October 5
* For University dates see www.varsity.co.nz/varsities

Mt Ruapehu has 1000 awesome hectares of patrolled terrain, making it easily the largest ski area in New Zealand. What's more we've got the longest vertical drop (722m) and the highest lift access in New Zealand too.

It all adds up to massive variety! There's something here for everyone from the absolute beginner to experienced skiers or boarders looking for a real alpine challenge.

For lift pass rates see http://www.mtruapehu.com/rates.html

Gear rental rates: http://www.mtruapehu.com/rental.html

Mt Ruapehu is an active volcano which started erupting at least 250,000 years ago. It produces ash and scoria during eruptions approximately every 10 to 20 years.
Skiers and snow boarders need to know what to do if Mt Ruapehu erupts. Eruptions generate lahars (volcanic mudflows) which flow down valleys in a flash flood.
Large eruptions in 1969, 1975 and 1995 pushed mud flows (lahars) from Crater Lake down some Whakapapa ski area valleys.
During an eruption there may also be gas and flying rocks on the upper mountain, especially within the Summit Hazard Zone.
An Eruption Detection System (EDS) is operating at the ski area. In the event of an eruption, the system will set off sirens and loudspeaker messages.