We have recently returned from Mount Ruapheu where we had the added bonus of 7 days of awesome weather for our first trip to the snow this Winter…the first of many!

Whakapapa

Whakapapa

There are a number of differences between skiing in many of the European resorts and here on the sides of an active volcano sitting on top a plateau on the North Island of NZ in splendid isolation; well almost splendid isolation as Mt Ngauruhoe (Mt Doom) and Tongariro and in close proximity to the North and Taranaki (another volcano is visible to the West), including exposure to weather and in particular wind and a lack of trees and an abundance of rocks.  Often due to the exposure of the volcano weather can be issue in closing lifts and the rocks definately make the wearing of helmets a good idea! However when then sun shines for  a week the place is stunning and Mt Ruapehu offers an abundance of skiing at Whakapapa and Turoa, both of which have easy access to any type of off piste skiing, with the top of the volcano where you can look into the hot crater lake surrounded by snow and then ski down from, only a ’short’ hike up with your skis / board form the top lifts.

Next time we head down and up and across and down to Ruapehu we will hopefully get some bigger and better shots…with Ruapehu only being a drive away we can get there after work on a Friday for a weekend…yippee!!

So with the relative  proximity to the snowfield plus the surf on our doorstep we have plenty to do, and that’s not even starting on the many rivers to explore…bring on the good times!!