With winter nearly here, Tūroa has announced a staged opening across June and July, saying it is thrilled to welcome guests back to Mount Ruapehu.
And James Simpson, marketing manager for Pure Tūroa, says the early dump the mountain received some weeks ago is a promising sign.
“Who really knows with the weather, but by all accounts, it's going to be a big snow season. We're always hopeful and I'm confident, let's say, on the record.”
The stage opening begins with 'HQ Ohakune' opening on the weekends of May 30–31, June 6–7, and June 13–14, giving guests a chance to get winter-ready before the mountain ramps up.
From Saturday June 20, HQ Ohakune will be open seven days a week.
Sightseeing visitors will also be able to enjoy the mountain experience with Sightseeing and the Alpine Cafe & Bar opening on the weekends of June 20–21 and June 27–28.
Then from Sunday, July 4, it's all go, says Simpson.
“The whole mountain will be open… weather permitting, as long as the snow gods deliver…
If there's early snow, we'll open more facilities early as well. It just depends on how much the weather plays ball.”
So from Saturday July 4, Tūroa will have:
- The Alpine Meadow beginner area opening.
- Sledding opening.
- Sightseeing operating.
- Freddie’s Tasting Room opening.
- Alpine Cafe & Bar opening.
- Rentals available.
- Guest Services operating.
- Snow School lessons commencing.
- Upper mountain chairlifts are also scheduled to open as snow conditions allow.
“We’re excited to welcome guests back in stages as conditions come together,” says Simpson.
“This gives families, sightseers, sledders, and first timers plenty of ways to reconnect with the mountain early in the season, with more terrain opening as the weather delivers.”
With the school holidays beginning the same day, Simpson says there'll be something to do up the mountain.
“The cafe will be open. There'll be people around. If there's any snow at all, there'll be sledding, if there's decent snow, there'll be skiing… there's always something happening. So just keep an eye out and pop up for a look around.”
Whakapapa has also announced it will be opening the same day, which Simpson says is great for snow sport lovers in general.
“Love thy neighbour. We love Whakapapa… We're excited to get going. There’s a bit of variation between the two sides, good terrain and facilities to be had both ways and Ohakune has different offerings than, say, National Park does, but they both have their upsides.”
Tūroa is encouraging guests to lock in the last of the early bird season passes before June 30 for $799 (adult) and $399 (youth). Kids 5 and under ski free.
For newcomers to the snow, first timer packages offer the best value for money, with everything sorted before arrival - tickets, lessons, and gear rental, all for $119 (mid-week), or $139 (weekend).
Tūroa, located on the southwestern slopes of Mt Ruapehu in Tongariro National Park, is home to New Zealand’s longest vertical descent at 722 metres.
