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Whakapapa ski resort, New Zealand (Oceania) — luxury alpine destination — Mountain views, ski slopes, and alpine landscape
Oceania

Whakapapa

Ski resort guide

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Resort Guide

Whakapapa is New Zealand’s largest ski area, located on the northwestern slopes of Mt Ruapehu in Tongariro National Park. The resort features over 550 hectares of skiable terrain, catering to all abilities with wide beginner slopes, intermediate trails, and advanced runs, as well as the renowned Sky Waka gondola offering panoramic views. Whakapapa’s amenities include a modern base area, equipment rentals, ski school, and multiple dining options, making it a versatile destination for families and adventure seekers. Its unique volcanic landscape and extensive facilities distinguish it as a premier ski destination in the Southern Hemisphere.

Gallery

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Whakapapa - Luxury ski hotel gallery image 9 showing alpine architecture, interior design, or mountain views

Key Info

Resort data by SnowSure™

RegionOceania
CountryNew Zealand
Base Elevation1,630m
Summit Elevation2,300m
Vertical Drop670m
Skiable Acres1,360
Total Runs67
Total Lifts12
Annual Snowfall68 inches / 173 cm.
Longest Run4 km / 2.5 mi
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WebcamsView
Trail Map (PDF)View PDF

Live Conditions

Whakapapa Webcam

Webcam courtesy of: Resort

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Whakapapa

Weather Forecast · 1,630m – 2,300m

Data reported at Mon, Aug 31, 1:35 AM UTC
Last Snowfall
—
Last 24h
0cm
Last 7 Days
0.2cm
Season Total
81.2cm
SnowSure™ Score
34
Solid
↑
Improving
Conditions are holding steady.

Major snowfall ahead - 107cm forecast.

Whakapapa currently has a solid snow depth of 75cm, with moderate snowfall contributing 18cm over the past week. The outlook is promising, with forecasts suggesting an average of 77cm over the next 14 days, indicating a good opportunity for skiing.

Depth
Recent
Forecast
Historic
Current Conditions
Reported Mon, Aug 31, 1:35 AM UTC
Base
1,630m
Temp
2°C
Wind
22km/h
Snow Depth
65cm
14-Day Forecast
0cm
Mid-Mountain
1,965m
Temp
-3°C
Wind
22km/h
Snow Depth
0cm
14-Day Forecast
—
Summit
2,300m
Temp
-3°C
Wind
22km/h
Snow Depth
65cm
14-Day Forecast
0cm
Lift Status
3 of 1225% open
14-Day Snow Forecast by Model
Summit elevation (2,300m) · Forecast from Mon, Aug 31, 1:35 AM UTC
ECMWF
181.8cm
GFS
54.7cm
GEM
96.1cm
JMA
85.9cm
ICON
20.8cm
Average
87.9cm
10-Day Forecast
Summit (2,300m) · Updated Mon, Aug 31, 1:35 AM UTC
Today
31
-2°
-6°
6.2cm
Tue
1
-4°
-8°
3.3cm
Wed
2
-1°
-6°
1.7cm
Thu
3
1°
-3°
6.5cm
Fri
4
-1°
-5°
20.5cm
Sat
5
0°
-5°
0.2cm
Sun
6
0°
-5°
12.1cm
Mon
7
-4°
-8°
24cm
Tue
8
-6°
-9°
2.3cm
Wed
9
-3°
-6°
6.4cm
Season vs Historic
Updated Mon, Aug 31, 1:35 AM UTC
81.2cm
Season Total
This Season to Date
+110%
vs 5-Year Avg
74cm avg by now
+193%
vs 30-Year Avg
42cm avg by now
74cm
5-Yr Avg by Now

This season is at 81.2 cm to date. The last completed season totaled ~81.4 cm. That's 10% above the 5-year average (74 cm). Versus the 30-year baseline: 94% above the 30-year average (42 cm).

Powered by SnowSure™
Last synced Mon, Aug 31, 1:35 AM UTC

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Top Après Ski

Lorenz's Bar & Café – Located at the base of Whakapapa, Lorenz's is renowned for its relaxed alpine atmosphere, hearty après-ski fare, and panoramic views of Mt Ruapehu, making it a favorite spot for skiers to unwind with drinks and share stories after a day on the slopes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Whakapapa — Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about skiing and staying in Whakapapa, New Zealand.

The current snow depth at Whakapapa is 65cm. Over the past 7 days, Whakapapa has received 0.2cm of snowfall. The season total snowfall is 81.2cm. The current SnowSure™ rating is 34/100.

Whakapapa has 67 runs. and 12 lifts. covering 1360 skiable acres. The elevation ranges from 1630m to 2300m. with a vertical drop of 670m. The resort averages 68 inches / 173 cm. of snowfall annually..

The 14-day snow forecast for Whakapapa predicts approximately 107cm of snowfall. LUXSKI provides forecasts from multiple weather models including ECMWF, GFS, GEM, JMA, and Météo-France, updated hourly.

You can browse and book luxury ski hotels at Whakapapa directly on LUXSKI. Visit the Whakapapa destination page to see all available hotels, check real-time room availability and pricing, and book with free cancellation options. You can also contact our concierge team at concierge@lux.ski for personalized trip planning.