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.
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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.
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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