Whakapapa: Conquer the Crater
There’s that moment on the drive up Bruce Road when the pine forest gives way and the mountain opens up - that’s when you know you’re headed to Whakapapa Ski Area. Sitting on the north-western slopes of Mount Ruapehu, Whakapapa isn’t just NZ’s biggest ski area - it’s almost an adventure village in its own right: 550 hectares of snow-covered lava flows, crater-rim ridge lines, and 67 named runs waiting to be explored. Whether you’re after mellow cruisers or challenging chutes, there’s something for everyone.
Carves, Craters and Cravings:
Once you’ve found your groove - Whakapapa turns up the volume.
For anyone beyond first turns, Whakapapa ramps up quickly. There are wide groomed trails, steep chutes, wind-sculpted bowls and ridge lines hanging over lava terrain - terrain shaped by Ruapehu’s volcanic history. With roughly half the terrain geared to intermediates and a solid chunk for advanced riders, this is a place to push your limits, explore freeride zones, and drop lines shaped by nature itself.
Join the Whakapapa Crew
If you want a taste of living the Whakapapa vibe - the early lifts, tight-knit instructor crews, mountain mornings, and that post-ride buzz - check out these stories of folks doing just that:
Naniesha began her career as a ski instructor in Whakapapa, New Zealand in 2018 with EA Ski and Snowboard Training. Since then she has travelled the world instructing four ski seasons and is now spending her winter in the Japanese Alps. She has gone down the adaptive ski instructing route and hopes to open an adaptive ski school!
Ella received her Level One Instructor Certification for skiing at Whakapapa, New Zealand. She loves to travel, so becoming a ski instructor was an awesome way for her to see the world. Working and doing something that she loves is the reason Ella did a ski internship. She wants to travel with her qualification with Japan and Canada being on her bucket list. Ella picked EA Ski and Snowboard Training as we provide you with a lot of support while you are abroad. It's a cool group of people, with a shared passion.
Naniesha and Ella don’t sugar-coat it - it is about passion for snow, connection with the mountain, and the stoke you get from helping people carve their first turns or nail their first parallel. If you’re chasing crisp alpine air, a supportive community, and days filled with snow and smiles - Whakapapa might just be your kind of place.
