Whakapapa, New Zealand

Visitor reviews for Whakapapa

• August 29, 2008
  Olly from NEW ZEALAND
  

  I think you will find that every 5 years or so, you can ski to the Chateau, I did it about 2 weeks ago.
  What Whakapapa does offer is some pretty intense terrain, if you have the skills and knowledge to ski it. I have skied in many places across the world, and even though it may not as good as many of those resorts, in my mind, Whakapapa is the best resort in New Zealand (on its day)
  Treble Cone has amazing snow, but over the last few years I have had several powder (actual powder) days that would better TC, with the advantage of much more terrain.
  You are right about the 1m to cover the rocks, but its been 3 years since we haven't had enough, ever heard of weather cycles? Hear about how bad the season was on the east coast of the states last year?
  I encourage you to go skiing soon, it's insane down there.

  [Comment by editor: the part of this review that contained sensitive text, directed to an individual, has now been removed]

• August 18, 2008
  Stu from NEW ZEALAND
  

  I note Darryl's comment about skiing to the Chateau. I remember doing that on occasion in the past too. I also remember skiing at Christmas and New Year. And I remember digging the cars out at the top of the Bruce in the morning, then another front coming through and having to dig them out again in the afternoon so they didn't get graded (70's). Whakapapa is great for a challenge and variety - just gets a bit crowded at times, so I try to avoid those times.

• August 14, 2008
  TiM from NEW ZEALAND
  

  At the moment there is heaps of snow at Whak (2.9 mts) and whoever wrote the one saying that it needs 1.3 mts of snow is wrong. I did a full run with 1 meter of snow on and that was fine. 2yrs ago me and my bro skied top to bottom and I was only 11yrs and he was only 9yrs

• August 10, 2008
  darryl from NEW ZEALAND
  

  It's interesting what Vivienne had to write about top of the mountain to Chateau skiing. It would appear she has not spent many years at Whakapapa. I have spent 30yrs this yr skiing at Whakapapa and have done a top to bottom, gone to the tavern, had a few drinks and then caught the then Mountain Goats back up. It the big dump of the 90's the young kids in our ski club skied to the Chateau using the cars coming up as a slalom course. This skiing has not been down for a while due to the lack of snow, however it can be done.
  Whilst Whakapapa can be unpredictable, it is a very technical mountain to ski and having skied a large number of ski fields worldwide, you will see the evidence of your ability at these fields. Most ski instructors will tell you, "if you can ski Whakapapa, you can ski anywhere in the world"
  And as mentioned, the mountain is magic when the sun is out and the snow is perfect,it can't be beaten.

• August 07, 2008
  David from NEW ZEALAND
  

  This season is the first season that I have ever been down to the South Island and to be completely honest with you Whakapapa measures up well.
  If you're from Auckland and wanting to go skiing go to Whaka and save a heap of $$$$$. It's good that they have the Knol ridge and Far West cafes because that means that you don't have to go all the way to the base area to rest up re fuel or "De Fuel". The field does get very busy especially if Far West isn't open but a good rule to follow is if it's busy at the Waterfall go out west. If it's busy out west go to the Waterfall. Out west is the high light of the field and offers rolling natural big mountain terrain which is super fun on a powder day. Rock Garden is always busy so be prepared. Upper Mountain pass is always the way to go.

• August 06, 2008
  shaun from NEW ZEALAND
  

  Went to Whakapapa on Tues 16 August and what a day! Heaps of snow no q,s and awesome conditions! one of the best days ever!

• July 24, 2008
  Vivienne from NEW ZEALAND
  

  I've been skiing Whakapapa and Turoa for the last 8 years. It's good on a good day, but they don't come everyday. It's exposed and both resorts share the most "closed days" out of all NZ resorts. It gets the most snow, but it needs it to cover the rocks.
  Whakapapa needs about 1.3m and Turoa needs about 1m to get a decent run. Anything below that, you'll need to avoid rocks.
  No offence, but Andrew (whoever wrote the first review), I seriously doubt you skied from Top to the chateau. you'd be lucky to ski even half that. Please.
  Don't get me wrong, on a good day, Whakapapa and Turoa are magic. but don't have your hopes too high, and you have to factor in closed days. The features at both ski fields are damn fun and interesting which keep me going year after year.
  But it's not an American, Japanese, or EU ski field. Don't be fooled. Please.

• August 17, 2006
  jonny from snowcone from NEW ZEALAND
  

  Here are my tips for riding at Whakapapa:
  Best days to go are monday-thursday there are fewer people in the lift lines and you get a better carpark.
  If you go there fri-sat during mid season get a carpark in daypark 4 or 5 catch the shuttle up to the top and at the end of the day you can ski/board down to your car.
  If the lift lines are packed on the centennial lift take the far west chairlift,
  then take the 4 man chairlift follow the trail to the left and then proceed down to the bottom of the waterfall lift,
  ride safely help those learners who are in a spot of trouble, show respect to the old timers, but most of all have fun and watch out for the rocks coz they have the ability to shred you a new poohole.

• June 26, 2006
  Jenny from NEW ZEALAND
  

  Whakapapa is not only for the skiers and boarders you know. 11 of us went up for a fun day with the kids. We took sheets of plastic etc and the kids and a few adults had a lovely day in the sun throwing snowballs and making snowmen. We were there for over 4 hours and the time went so fast it was sad when we had to pack up and come back to reality...we live in Taupo. We took loads of photos with the trusty digital cameras and once downloaded onto the computers found we enjoyed the day all over again just looking at those and talking about it all. So if you think it is all just for skiing etc go up with the kids and a picnic lunch and have a ball, you won't regret it I promise...

• July 11, 2005
  Andrew Crang from NEW ZEALAND
  

  Whakapapa, New Zealand's biggest ski resort and in my opinion-the best!. Whakapapa has an average snow depth of 3.5m in the peak of winter ( august-september) Along with breathtaking scenery of the three volacanoes comes the awesome skiing, great lift acsessed backcountry terrain and those double black diamond runs down the famous pinnacles. My obsession with skiing is all thanks to Whakapapa. Not only does whakapapa have those changelling runs but 5 lifts are dedicated to beginners. I took the famous "walk to the summit" and the breath taking ski down along with six inches of fresh powder. The far west in my eyes is the highlight of this ski area ranging from blue to double black diamond, this area acesses the three glaciers that run on the west side of Mt ruapehus whakapapa ski field. On a good year skiers can ski from summit (2797) to the grand chateau (800m) and the bottom chair is 1600m above sea level I enjoyed that run! all 15km of it! all I can say to you is ive been to america, ive experieced those powder days and I can say to you as an american Whakapapa is up there and with only 2% of the mountain used, who could no, one day there might be in excess of 200 lifts, 150 more than we have now. Come to Mt ruapehu and enjoy what I experienced afterall its in our summer!