Whakapapa

Many kiwis discovered their first love of snow at Whakapapa’s premier learner facility, Happy Valley, while more advanced skiers and riders hone their skills, exploring 550 hectares complete with cruisy groomers, exhilarating chutes, and remnants of old crater rims, on their descent from 2320m.

Terrain: Beginner 30%, Intermediate 45%, Advanced 25%

550 hectares within boundary
690m vertical descent
2320m highest lifted point
Sky Waka gondola
4 x chairlifts
3 x T bars
4 x magic carpets
4 x licenced cafes
2 x rental stores, retail and workshop

Trail map

Ride through the clouds, past remnants of old crater rims and over ancient lava flows

Passes

Weekday, Weekend Day, and Season Pass (on sale 15 April to 15 May) options. Also choose from all mountain or lower mountain. Buy online, ahead of time.

Passes

Lessons

Lessons for first timers through to advanced skiers and riders, both private and group lessons. Connect with our qualified instructors.

Lessons

Programmes

Level up with programmes designed for both adults and mini shredders. 5, 10, and 20-day options, across development and performance.

Programmes

Sledding

Custom designed sledding lanes in Happy Valley. Hire sleds and access lanes in one-hour blocks. Fun for the whole family.

Sledding

Sightseeing

Ride the Sky Waka gondola to 2020m, with expansive views out across the Central North Island, and beyond, all year round.

Sightseeing

Rentals

Kit yourself out in quality ski and snowboard equipment, and warm outer wear. Bundle rental equipment with a ski pass and save.

Rentals

Unique conditions

We are at the mercy of the elements, and the climatic effects of being atop the North Island’s peak, unprotected from any direction, adding a sense of drama but also magic to our slopes.

Our terrain is naturally volcanic, making it vast and diverse, and better flowing. Made by nature, enhanced by our expert team. This guarantees variety, creativity, and excitement.

While some days are gnarlier than others, we often arrive to crisp, bluebird days, and elusive “spring corn” – soft and forgiving – as the sun warms the slopes over the day.

We traditionally see a base of upwards of 1m from August, with snow filling the gullies and rocky crevasses, making for some of the best free ride terrain in the Southern Hemisphere.

Come prepared for our conditions and plan ahead and you will experience its magic.

First time to Whakapapa?

If you have never visited Whakapapa before, or perhaps never set foot on snow, or not driven in alpine conditions, take a look at our guide of all essential information you should know before arriving on the mighty maunga.

First timers info

Buy online, save time

Almost all of what you need to make the most of your time at Whakapapa is available to purchase or book online. That goes for passes, lessons, programmes, and rental equipment.

Rather than queue on arrival to purchase or book, you can buy online and visit one of our click and collect machines, located on mountain, or in Torpedo7 stores North Island wide. Following checkout, you will receive a QR code via email. Present this at the automated click and collect machine, and it will print a pass, loaded with your purchase.

A great way to prepare in advance of hitting the slopes, ensuring you can make the most of your time on mountain.

Click and collect video overview

See you at the bottom