Stress free guide to Tūroa

A little preparation before you leave home can make all the difference to your day on the mountain.

Weekends and school holidays are some of the busiest times of the season at Tūroa Ski Area. Planning ahead means less time in queues and more time enjoying the snow.

Our friendly Guest Services, Rentals and Snow School teams are here to help. Whether you need equipment fitted, directions or advice on where to start, just ask.

Here's everything you need to know before you head up.

Quick summary:

1. Beat the queues and get your tickets, snowcard and rentals sorted before you arrive at the ski area.
2. Check the weather forecast, snow report and road conditions.
3. Pack warm, waterproof clothing, sunscreen and plenty of layers.
4. Leave early, especially on weekends and during school holidays.
5. Familiarise yourself with our map to find the essentials.
6. Stay safe and have fun!

Collect your Snow Card before you drive up

Already booked online? Great!

We recommend collecting your Snow Card from HQ in Ohakune at 27 Ayr Street the day before your visit. It's the quickest way to start your day and means you can head straight to the lifts when you arrive, skipping the busy morning Guest Services queue.

Hire your equipment the day before

Need skis, a snowboard or boots?

Hiring your equipment from SLR at HQ in Ōhakune the day before is the easiest option. You'll enjoy a relaxed fitting, avoid the morning rush and save valuable time once you arrive at Tūroa.

If you've booked a rental or package online, your equipment will need to be collected from Guest Services at Tūroa on the day of your visit. During busy periods, please allow up to 1.5 hours for equipment collection and fitting.

Book lessons before you arrive

Snow School lessons are popular during weekends and school holidays and can sell out. Booking online before you arrive guarantees your spot and helps your day run smoothly from the moment you get to the mountain.

You will need a valid lift pass to participate in a lesson. Our packages offer the best value for money with lift pass, lesson and rental equipment all in one.

Check the weather before you travel

Mt Ruapehu is an alpine environment, and conditions can change quickly.

A bluebird morning can turn into snow, wind or cloud within a few hours. Before you leave home, check both the latest weather forecast and snow report, then check again before driving up the mountain.

Pack for all conditions

Even if the forecast looks perfect, it's worth packing for everything. The alpine sun is much stronger than at sea level, and temperatures can change quickly throughout the day.

We recommend bringing:

• A waterproof ski jacket.
• Waterproof ski pants.
• Warm base layers.
• Waterproof gloves.
• Warm ski socks.
• Sunglasses or goggles.
• Sunscreen and lip balm.
• A spare warm layer.

Don’t worry if you forget something, we have clothing/snow boots for hire and sell gloves, goggles and sunscreen at our on mountain retail store.

Check the road conditions

Before leaving Ohakune, check the latest road conditions and find out if snow chains are required.

If chains are needed, make sure you know how to fit them before you leave. Drive to the conditions, leave plenty of following distance and allow extra travel time during busy periods.

Dempseys buses offer shuttle service up and down the mountain, they can drop you straight to the entrance of Tūroa meaning you don’t need to hike from the carpark. https://dempseybuses.co.nz/timetable/

Arrive early

The earlier you arrive, the better your day will be.

Early arrivals usually enjoy easier parking, shorter queues and more time on the snow before the busiest part of the day.

Stay fuelled and hydrated

A day on the mountain is more physically demanding than you might expect. Stay hydrated, take regular breaks and keep your energy up throughout the day. You're welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy in designated picnic areas, but please note that outside food and drink isn't permitted inside our cafés. Whatever you bring up the mountain, please take all rubbish home with you. If you'd rather leave the food at home, our cafés serve great coffee, hearty meals and snacks to keep you fuelled for the day.

Safety comes first

Help keep yourself and others safe by:

• Staying on marked trails.
• Following Ski Patrol instructions and all signage.
• Never ducking ropes or entering closed areas.
• Keeping children supervised.
• Letting someone know if you're skiing or snowboarding alone.

‍Children and babies

Keeping our youngest visitors safe is our top priority. Children under the age of three are not permitted to ride the chairlift unless they are skiing independently. For everyone's safety, children cannot be carried in front or back packs, baby carriers or slings while riding a chairlift or while skiing or snowboarding.

There's still plenty of fun waiting at the base area, with sledding, snow play and space for little ones to enjoy the snow in a safe environment.

If you’re not skiing or snowboarding

If you're not skiing or snowboarding, the Alpine Cafe & Bar is the perfect place to warm up with a coffee or lunch while watching beginners learn in the Alpine Meadow. For even bigger views, take the sightseeing chairlift to the Giant Cafe, one of the highest-elevation cafés in the North Island, overlooking the Central Plateau.

Familarise yourself with our map

Everything you need for a great day on the mountain is right here. On our map you'll find cafés, restaurants, toilets, Guest Services, rentals, retail, a medical centre and plenty of parking close to the base area at the top of Ohakune Mountain road.

Toilets are located at the base area in the Alpine Cafe, mid-field at Snow flake cafe and the upper mountain at the Giant Cafe.

We have four eateries across the ski area serving a range of snacks, food and drinks.

Things to keep in mind

• Lift queues are normal during busy periods.
• Weather can delay lift openings or change operations throughout the day.
• Mountain conditions can change quickly.
• Our team is always working to provide the safest possible experience, so thanks for your patience if plans need to change.
• Tūroa is located within Tongariro National Park, a UNESCO Dual World Heritage Site recognised for both its natural beauty and cultural significance. Please help us care for this special environment by taking your rubbish with you, staying on marked paths and respecting the alpine environment.

We can't wait to welcome you to Tūroa. Travel safely, have an incredible day, and enjoy your time on the mountain.