Snowphone: (083) 222182
(kids ask your parents first, calls cost 11c/min)

Mt Ruapehu
Waikato 4691

Beginner
Whakapapa is home to New Zealand's premiere beginners' area, Happy Valley. It's a big complete learner’s area in its own valley away from the worry of faster skiers/boarders putting you off. It has its own cafe, rental complex and ski school meeting area. The gentle slope is nice and long, giving you plenty of time to really get the hang of your new sport and there is a slow-moving chairlift that takes you to the top of the slope while giving your legs a rest between runs.

Intermediate
There are more than 30 groomed trails that intermediate skiers and boarders love. The volcanic terrain at Whakapapa gives a massive variety between trails, giving you the choice of bumps, chutes, drops, bowls or nice wide runs.

Advanced
With 24 black and black diamond runs plus the lift accessed Black Magic backcountry area, there is plenty at Whakapapa to get the adrenaline pumping even for the most expert of experts. The pinnacles backcountry area is used for the increasingly popular Extreme Competition each September and provides some of the most challenging terrain you'll find anywhere but be prepared to be watched as it's clearly viewable from the lifts and upper mountain