You can buy a walkers ticket for the chair lift up to the Mt Ruapehu ski field.

This will give you a one only ride up the mountain. The ride up to the top can also be very cold even on a fine day so take a warm jacket with you. Stunning mountain views.

Quick Facts about this walk

  • Location: Tongariro National Park, North Island
  • Distance: 0 km
  • Time needed: Stay the whole day if you have the time
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Wheelchair Access: No
  • Route: Round Trip
  • Elevation: 2300m
  • Wet Feet: No
  • Toilets: Yes
  • Dogs: No
  • Mobile Coverage: Yes
  • Last Updated: November, 2019

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Summary points about this walk

Walk Highlights

There is no shortage of snow in the winter time for skiing. Try walking up to the top of Mt Ruapehu and digging a snow cave. Let the ski patrol know before you set off. Plenty of day walks around the base of the mountain in the alpine bush. Most of the walks start around the Chateau.

Track Quality

Snow and more snow

Hazards

Cold freezing weather. Steep cliffs and lots of tourist.

Transport

Buses every day from Taupo and National park township.

Water

Not a problem

Driving Instructions

Drive south through the National Park for about 200m. On the left is the highway 47 to Taupo and Whakapapa Village. Drive on for 8.8km to the turn off to Whakapapa Village. Turn right on to highway 48, drive 6.1km to reach the Village. From the village you can drive to the Bruce in your car or take the mountain goat 4×4 bus up to the top.

Shops & Restaurants Nearby

Plenty of food at the Chateau Hotel. And burgers at the local pub just down the road down and at the water fall chair lift kiosk.

Area & Trail History

Unknown

Map Location

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Points of interest along the walk​

Mt Ruapehu
Mt Ruapehu and the Chateau in front

Point 1: Mt Ruapehu Ski Field

The drive to National Park can be very interesting on a fine day. With a pair of binoculars you can pick out the Ketetahi hut 15540m up the south side of Mt Tongariro. Mt Tongariro is 1909m high. You will also catch a glimpse of the ski fields at Whakapapa, 1700m up the western side of Mt Ruapehu.  If the road is too icy the main gate will be closed. They will only let cars with snow chains fitted to their tyres past the gate and 4×4 cars. The other option is to take the 4×4 bus up to the top; this is the best option because you will be dropped off at the cafes front door. On a busy weekend if the car park is almost full, you could have a long uphill walk to your coffee. You can hire boots, jackets etc at the ski hire centre next to the cafe.

Mt Ruapehu Sky Field
Whakapapa Ski field
Mt Ruapehu Sky Field
Mt Ruapehu Sky Field
Mt Ngauruhoe

Point 2: Mt Ruapehu Ski Field

You can buy a walkers ticket for the chair lift. This will give you a one only ride up the mountain. The ride up to the top can also be very cold even on a fine day so take a warm jacket with you.  The wind can whistle around the base of the mountain sending the wind chill factor to below 0. Plus the chair lift has been known to stop half way to the top. You can buy hot food and drinks at the waterfall chair lift cafe. If you are thinking of walking, or sliding back down the mountain, take a very thick plastic bag with you. So you can sit on the bag and slide back down the mountain to the car. But be very careful when crossing the downhill racers lanes. The last photo of Ruapehu sitting above the tarn was taken on the silica rapids walk.




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