Peak 2 Powderkeg T&Cs

Event Terms and Conditions

Saturday 26 September 2026  ·  Tūroa Ski Area, Ohakune Mountain Road, Mt Ruapehu

Peak to Powderkeg is Pure Tūroa's iconic multisport event, held annually at Tūroa Ski Area. This document sets out the Event Terms and Conditions. All Entrants must read, accept and comply with these Terms and Conditions, and complete the waiver and entry sections at the end of this document, before they will be permitted to compete.

These Event Terms and Conditions are supplementary to, and should be read alongside, Pure Tūroa's general Terms and Conditions. Where a specific provision below conflicts with the general Terms and Conditions, the provision in this document applies for the purposes of this Event.

1. Event Overview

The Event is a four-stage adventure race run in a single format, from the summit area of Tūroa Ski Area to The Powderkeg, Ohakune. There is no alternate weather date — Peak to Powderkeg will be staged to its full capacity on Saturday 26 September 2026, subject to clause 8 (Refund Policy).

  • Snow Stage — ski/snowboard descent from the highest safely operable point of Tūroa Ski Area to Tūroa Plaza.
  • Run Stage — 4.8km downhill run along the sealed Ohakune Mountain Road to the transition area.
  • Bike Stage — 11.5km downhill cycle on the sealed Ohakune Mountain Road to The Powderkeg.
  • Scull/Dash Stage — a short dash followed by a compulsory beverage scull (beer or non-alcoholic alternative) to finish.

A BBQ and prizegiving will follow at the Powderkeg / Matterhorn Balcony. Entry fees include one BBQ ticket for the Entrant; additional supporter BBQ tickets may be purchased.

2. Entrant Conduct and Responsibility

  1. All Entrants must put the safety of themselves and other competitors first, above final race position, and must cause no harm to other competitors.
  2. Entrants must follow all aspects of the Snow Responsibility Code and must wear a helmet at all times while competing, riding the lifts, skiing or snowboarding, and cycling.
  3. It is each Entrant's responsibility to ensure that all equipment used in the Event is in safe condition to compete with.
  4. It is each Entrant's responsibility to ensure that they have adequately and physically prepared themselves for the Event, and to be informed of and have read all information made available regarding the Event. Entrants accept that all instructions, whether written or verbal, given by Event officials are clear and unambiguous.
  5. Entrants must comply with all directions of Event officials, marshals and security personnel, and with all Event signage.
  6. Officials reserve the right to remove any Entrant who fails to complete a section of the Event within a reasonable time, or who, in the Organiser's opinion, fails to comply with these Terms and Conditions. Entrants may be disqualified accordingly.
  7. Entries are accepted in accordance with the published Competitor's Information. Late entries may not be accepted.

3. Compulsory Safety Sign-Off

  1. A compulsory bike and helmet inspection will take place on the Friday evening before the Event at TCB Sports Shop, Ohakune. Both ski/snowboard and bike helmets must be signed off as safe, and all bikes must be checked to confirm they are in a suitable condition to ride the Mountain Road.
  2. All Entrants must attend this safety sign-off to collect their competition bib and sign the competition waiver. Entrants who do not complete the safety check and waiver prior to race day may be removed from the competition at the Organiser's discretion.
  3. Entrants under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian present at the safety check to sign their waiver on their behalf.
  4. Bibs must be picked up at TCB during the bike safety check. A Tūroa representative will be present to confirm all competitors hold a bib and that waivers for any under-age competitors have been signed.

4. Race Day Schedule

  1. From 6:30am — Course and weather updates available via the Tūroa Snow Report.
  2. 2:00pm — Bike drop-off at the 11.5km mark (chain fitting / parking bays). A Pure Tūroa staff member will be present on site from 2:00pm; however, Pure Tūroa takes no responsibility for bikes and helmets left in the bike drop-off area, during the race, or at the finish, where bikes are left before the final run to the Powderkeg car park for the scull.
  3. 3:00pm — Compulsory Event Safety Briefing, Tūroa Base Area, including any updates on road, snow and weather conditions.
  4. 3.15pm — All competitors must catch the lifts to the start of the course. Bibs must be worn to ride the chair. Last chair to the top via Movenpick is at 3:45pm, and athletes will load the High Noon Express together. (if applicable)
  5. All competitors must be at the top of the course for 4:10pm for compulsory Race Briefing.

All competitors must meet the above timeframes to compete. The Race Briefing is compulsory. Times are indicative and may be adjusted by the Organiser on the day for safety or operational reasons — updates will be communicated directly to participants and via Tūroa's official channels.

5. Bib Requirements

  1. Each Entrant (individual) or team is issued one bib. In the Teams Section, the bib is handed to each team member at the start of their leg — team members may not leave their start point until wearing the team bib.
  2. The bib must be worn clearly on the outside of clothing/jackets at all times while competing. Any team crossing the finish line without the team bib will be disqualified.
  3. Teams Section requirements: a minimum of 3 athletes per team; at least 1 female athlete per team; each athlete completes 1 leg/section of the race; the bib is handed to each new athlete at the start of their leg.

6. Ability and Age Requirements

Skiers and riders must be of an advanced ability, able to confidently and safely complete terrain up to a Black run without assistance, and to negotiate a set gated course.

Age categories for entry follow the Event's published Youth / Open Men / Open Women / Teams divisions. For consistency with Pure Tūroa's general lift access terms, all competitors who wish to load the lift before 3.15pm must also carry a valid current-season lift pass or day pass for any lift use associated with the Event, in line with Pure Tūroa's Terms and Conditions (see www.turoa.com/terms-and-conditions).

7. Property, Support People and Bike Drop-off

  1. Each Entrant must have at least one support person present at the Tūroa Base Area to collect gear after the ski/snowboard leg of the race.
  2. Entrants must not leave equipment or personal property unattended anywhere on the mountain.
  3. Support people will not be able to leave the Tūroa Base Area until the race has been completed and the Mountain Road has reopened.
  4. The Organiser accepts no responsibility for the damage or loss of possessions during the Event, including at Tūroa Ski Area, Ohakune Mountain Road, or The Powderkeg Chateau, and including bikes and helmets left at the bike drop-off area.

8. Refund Policy

No responsibility is held by the Organiser for costs incurred as a result of withdrawal by the Entrant, or enforced removal by the Organiser due to an Entrant not meeting safety requirements (including failure to complete the compulsory safety sign-off under clause 3).

  1. The Organiser reserves the right to change the course on Event day for safety or weather considerations.
  2. Should snow, weather conditions, or operational status eliminate the ski/snowboard leg, the Organiser will endeavour, at its discretion, to create an alternative first leg of the race. If no alternative is available, the Event may proceed with only the run, bike, and scull legs.
  3. There is no alternate weather date for this Event — Peak to Powderkeg will be staged to its full capacity on Saturday 26 September 2026, subject to clause 8.2.
  4. If the Event is cancelled in full by the Organiser, all Entrants will be offered a free transfer to Peak to Powderkeg 2027.
  5. If an Entrant does not accept the free transfer offered under clause 8.4: a refund minus a $20 admin fee will be processed as mountain credit or to the original payment method.
  6. Minimum numbers apply, if minimum numbers cannot be reached, the event will be cancelled and clauses 8.4 and 8.5 will be in effect.  

This Refund Policy applies specifically to Peak to Powderkeg entries and takes precedence, for the purposes of this Event, over Pure Tūroa's general policy of issuing credits rather than cash refunds. All other refund and credit matters not addressed in this document are governed by Pure Tūroa's general Terms and Conditions at www.pureturoa.nz/terms-and-conditions.

9. Waiver of Rights and Release of Liability

I, the undersigned, acknowledge and agree that snow sports and multisport events are potentially dangerous, and that I participate in this Event at my own risk. I am aware that Pure Tūroa Ltd cannot guarantee my safety; however, I acknowledge that Pure Tūroa Ltd has taken reasonable steps to help ensure my safety. Knowing this, I still wish to participate in this activity at my sole risk.

In consideration of being allowed to participate in the Event, and to the extent permitted by law, I release and discharge Pure Tūroa Ltd, jointly and severally, together with its directors, employees, authorised agents, sponsors, contractors and representatives (the “Organisers”), from all liability, whether arising in contract, tort, at general law, in equity, or otherwise, for any injury or damage — including but not limited to bodily injury or death, damage to property, loss of earning capacity, or pain and suffering — arising out of or in connection with my participation in, or presence at, the Event, however caused, including where caused by any negligent act or omission, breach of duty, or default of Pure Tūroa Ltd.

This release is consistent with, and additional to, the general liability terms set out in Pure Tūroa's Terms and Conditions, under which pass holders and guests use Tūroa facilities at their own risk and accept the inherent hazards of the alpine environment.

10. Media, Privacy and Information Use

  1. To the extent permitted by the Privacy Act 2020 or other relevant law, I agree to be interviewed by any person, and to have my image and my participation in and presence at the Event recorded by any means and used for any purpose by the Organisers.
  2. I agree that any content, images, or video taken of my involvement in the Event may be used in conjunction with any other media the Organiser or Event affiliates choose, for any marketing purpose.
  3. I agree that information collected about my presence and participation in the Event is collected for administrative and marketing purposes by Pure Tūroa Ltd. Any information collected will be held by Pure Tūroa Ltd, and, subject to the Privacy Act 2020, I may request access to that information and have it corrected if it is inaccurate.

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