Tūroa is preparing to welcome visitors back to Mt Ruapehu with a staged winter opening across June and July as anticipation builds for the 2025 snow season.
The season begins with HQ Ohakune opening on selected weekends from May 30, giving skiers, snowboarders and whānau the chance to gear up before the mountain fully opens.
HQ Ohakune will operate on the weekends of May 30–31, June 6–7, and June 13–14, before moving to daily operations from June 20.
Sightseeing visitors will also be able to return to the maunga later in June, with sightseeing experiences and the Alpine Cafe & Bar opening on the weekends of June 20–21 and June 27–28.
From July 4, Tūroa plans to expand operations significantly, including the opening of the Alpine Meadow beginner area, sledding, rentals, Snow School lessons and Freddie’s Tasting Room.
Guest services and sightseeing activities will also be fully operational, while upper mountain chairlifts are expected to open as snow conditions allow.
Tūroa management says the timing and scale of the opening will continue to depend on snowfall and weather conditions throughout the season.
Located on the southwestern slopes of Mt Ruapehu in Tongariro National Park, Tūroa is home to New Zealand’s longest vertical ski descent at 722 metres and remains one of the country’s most iconic winter destinations.
The ski field is encouraging visitors to secure the remaining early bird season passes before June 30, with adult passes priced at $799 and youth passes at $399. Children aged five and under ski free.
For newcomers to the snow, first-timer packages including lift passes, lessons and rental gear are available from $119 during the week and $139 on weekends.
Tūroa says the staggered opening is designed to give families, first-time visitors and sightseers more opportunities to reconnect with the mountain while additional terrain becomes available throughout winter
