Whakapapa (Mt. Ruapehu)

Manawatu-Whanganui (North Island) · New Zealand

Whakapapa (Mt. Ruapehu) is a ski resort in Manawatu-Whanganui (North Island), New Zealand. It averages around 460 cm of snow a season on a Maritime, volcanic, above treeline snowpack. The season typically runs Jun-Oct/Nov.

Largest ski area in New Zealand; sits on an active volcano

41
OK
10-day outlook

10-day forecast

19 cm total · best window Friday, Oct 16 (2d, 18cm)

Tue
004° · 16kFL 4.1k
Wed
004° · 27kFL 3.7k
Thu
1.311° · 31kFL 2.8k ⚠
Fri
15.447-6° · 27kFL 1.5k
Sat
2.310-6° · 27kFL 2.7k ⚠
Sun
00-3° · 15kFL 3.2k
Mon
004° · 10kFL 3.5k
Tue
005° · 8kFL 3.5k
Wed
007° · 13kFL 3.6k
Thu
007° · 13kFL 3.5k

⚠ Freezing-level warning: on the marked days the freezing level sits well above the 1,630 m base — expect rain low down even while it snows at summit.

Each bar is a day's fresh snowfall; the pill is that day's powder score (fresh snow × cold-dry quality × wind-hold). Peak day: Friday, Oct 16 — Good (47). Forecast refreshed every 6 hours from Open-Meteo; last built Oct 12.

Mountain profile

Summit
2,322 m
Base
1,630 m
Vertical
692 m
Terrain
550 ha, NZ's largest single ski area
Avg annual snow
460 cm
Typical season
Jun-Oct/Nov
Snow climate
Maritime, volcanic, above treeline
Type
Lift-served
Exposure / orientation
Volcanic terrain with lava-formed natural halfpipes and cliffs

Chasing the same storm?

The closest scored resorts to Whakapapa (Mt. Ruapehu) — often on the same weather system.

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