Skiing and Hiking at Mt Ruapehu | Staying on the Mountain at the WTMC Lodge
Skiing, hiking and family day walks at Mt Ruapehu — including the Tongariro National Park and particularly the Whakapapa area, including route guides and photos — with practical information on staying at the WTMC Lodge in Iwikau Village.
Skiing and Hiking at Mt Ruapehu
Mt Ruapehu is one of New Zealand’s most distinctive alpine environments, offering lift‑access skiing in winter, and a wide range of tramping, alpine walks, and volcanic landscapes throughout the year.
Activities are centred mainly on the Whakapapa and Tūroa skifields within the Tongariro National Park, and include the surrounding valleys and ridgelines that have long been used by trampers, climbers, and ski tourers.
This page provides an overview of skiing and hiking opportunities at Mt Ruapehu, and explains how the WTMC Lodge can be used as a practical base for trips to the mountain.
Skiing at Mt Ruapehu
Mt Ruapehu is home to New Zealand’s largest skifield, Whakapapa, with Turoa close behind. The first skis on the mountain were likely in 1913 and the mountain opened its first rope tow at Whakapapa in 1947. Ruapehu also has a long tradition of club skiing and ski touring.
Whakapapa Skifield
Whakapapa Skifield, on the northern side of the mountain, is New Zealand’s largest skifield by area. It offers a broad range of terrain from beginner slopes to advanced alpine runs, as well as extensive lift infrastructure, including a gondola from the carpark to the Pātaka Cafe at 2,050 m.
Whakapapa also provides relatively easy access to higher alpine terrain including the Summit Plateau, and extensive views across Tongariro National Park.
Tūroa Skifield
Tūroa, on the south‑western side of Mt Ruapehu near Ohakune, has the largest vertical drop of any skifield in New Zealand (720 m). It is well known for its steeper terrain, wide open runs, and strong appeal to intermediate and advanced skiers, while still offering beginner areas.
Backcountry skiing and ski touring
Beyond the commercial skifields, Mt Ruapehu has a long history of backcountry skiing. Conditions can vary greatly depending on season and the weather, with spring generally being the most reliable.
Many tours are possible from Whakapapa taking in the larger glaciers or peaks on the mountain, and it is common for fit parties to tour from Whakapapa to Turoa or to the Whangaehu Glacier and the club field at Tukino if pickup transport can be arranged.
Hiking at Mt Ruapehu
While Mt Ruapehu is best known for skiing, it is also a wonderland for hiking and family day walks outside of the winter ski season.
Tongariro National Park walks
The mountain lies within Tongariro National Park, a dual World Heritage area recognised for both its natural and cultural significance. The park contains a wide range of walking and tramping options, from short day walks to longer alpine routes.
Tracks pass through tussock basins, lava flows, alpine wetlands, and volcanic landscapes that change markedly with the seasons and are unique in New Zealand.
Alpine routes and club tramps
For experienced trampers and mountaineers, Mt Ruapehu offers alpine routes to high summits (some above 2,700 m), and snow and glacier travel outside the developed skifield areas. These trips require careful planning and an understanding of sometimes rapidly changing alpine conditions.
Tramping and alpine clubs have a long association with the mountain, using it for training, multi‑day trips, and seasonal activities.
Year‑round opportunities
- Spring–autumn: Hiking, family day walks, photography, botany, geology and club trips
- Winter: Skiing, and mountaineering (conditions dependent).
Staying at Mt Ruapehu for skiing and hiking
For visitors planning skiing or tramping trips, staying on the mountain allows early starts, flexibility around weather, easier access to skifields and tracks, and spectacular sunsets.
Iwikau Village on the northern slopes of the mountain is a common base for year-round activities, particularly for trips to the Whakapapa Skifield and many nearby tramping routes.
The WTMC Mt Ruapehu Lodge
The Wellington Tramping and Mountaineering Club (WTMC) Lodge provides club‑based accommodation close to the Bruce Road carparks at Iwikau Village Mt Ruapehu. It is used as a base for skiing, tramping, alpine training, and multi‑day trips by club members and organised groups.
The lodge offers a practical, communal environment rather than commercial hotel accommodation, and is well suited to groups planning early starts or returning from full days on the mountain.
A club‑based connection to the mountain
Club lodges and tramping clubs have played an important role in the history of recreation on Mt Ruapehu. Shared knowledge, volunteer effort, and long‑term familiarity with the mountain have helped generations of trampers and skiers explore the area responsibly.
The WTMC’s presence at Mt Ruapehu reflects this tradition, providing a base that supports club activities while maintaining a strong connection to the alpine environment.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mt Ruapehu only a winter destination?
No. While skiing dominates the winter season, Mt Ruapehu offers tramping, alpine walking, and club activities for much of the year, depending on conditions.
Where do skiers and trampers stay near Mt Ruapehu?
Options include accommodation in Ohakune and surrounding towns, club lodges, and private lodges. The best choice depends on group size, trip type, and the activities planned.
Is the WTMC Lodge suitable for ski and hiking trips?
Yes. The WTMC Lodge is commonly used as a base for skifield access, club ski trips, and alpine activities, particularly by members and organised groups, and for hiking and daywalks during the summer.
For those planning skiing or tramping trips to Mt Ruapehu, the WTMC Lodge offers practical, club‑based accommodation on the mountain adjacent to the skifield and walking tracks.