| Surrounded by awe-inspiring volcanic mountains, | | | | skiers and riders will love Turoa. Yet Turoa also |
| desert plateau, waterfalls, rivers and dense | | | | caters for families and freestylers with its groomed |
| rainforests, Ruapehu is a spectacular place to visit | | | | slopes, beginner area and one of the best terrain |
| any time of the year. From Ohakune, you can easily | | | | parks in NZ. It's worth stopping by and checking out |
| access the Mt Ruapehu ski fields of Turoa and | | | | the action as some of the world's best boarders train |
| Whakapapa which is why Ohakune's population of | | | | here in winter. |
| 1,500 swells to near 20,000 when the ski fields open | | | | If you're new to skiing and snowboarding or need a |
| in winter. And, from National Park, you can ski the Mt | | | | bit of extra practice, head to Happy Valley at |
| Ruapehu filed of Whakapapa. | | | | Whakapapa. This purpose-built learners' area has wide |
| The "Apres-Ski Capital" of the North Island, Ohakune, | | | | and gentle groomed slopes, its own lifts, ski hire, |
| Mt Ruapehu has an abundance of cafés, | | | | café and most importantly, experienced |
| restaurants and bars, infused with a great holiday | | | | instructors who'll get you up and going in no time. |
| atmosphere, for those who want to wine, dine and | | | | Before you know it, you'll be enjoying the rest of the |
| unwind. | | | | trails and off-piste runs that Whakapapa has to offer. |
| One of the big events on the winter calendar is the | | | | If après-ski is your style, then your first stop |
| Ruapehu Mountain Mardi Gras. If you love live Kiwi | | | | must be the Powderhorn at the bottom of Mountain |
| music and dancing into the wee hours, then this is | | | | Road. An Ohakune icon, the Powderhorn is famous |
| place to be! In 2009, the Mardi Gras will be extra | | | | for its hospitality, generous portions of mulled wine |
| special as both Whakapapa and Turoa on Mt | | | | and huge steaks. |
| Ruapehu will be officially open, so if you have the | | | | There's plenty of accommodation in Ruapehu to suit |
| stamina, you can ski or ride all day and party all night. | | | | all budgets but with the 2009 ski season getting off |
| With 1800 hectares of ski-able terrain on Mt | | | | to an early start, it would be wise to start booking |
| Ruapehu, Turoa and Whakapapa offer endless fun | | | | your accommodation now. For a travel experience |
| for skiers and boarders of all ability; learners and | | | | you'll rave about, rent a chalet or holiday home with |
| family areas, groomed runs and off-piste steeps and | | | | an open fire. Imagine the fun sharing a bottle of fine |
| deeps. And you only need one lift pass to access | | | | wine around an open warm fire after an awesome |
| both ski fields! | | | | days skiing. |
| Turoa is the closest ski field to Ohakune, only 20 | | | | Ruapehu is such a fun place in winter, you'll leave |
| minutes away up Mountain Rd. With NZ's highest | | | | wanting to return again. Ruapehu a winter |
| vertical drop, highest ski lift, 3 off-piste areas and a | | | | wonderland with an abundance of cafes, restaurants |
| 4km run guaranteed to turn your legs to jelly; strong | | | | and bars, looks forward to your visit. |