Whakapapa – Mt. Ruapehu

Whakapapa–Mt. Ruapehu is one of more than 30 ski resorts in New Zealand. It is located in the Manawatu-Wanganui region on the North Island in the Kaweka Range, covering it almost entirely, at an altitude between 1,580 and 2,300 m with a difference of 720 m. It is the most popular area for skiing near Auckland. The main feature of Whakapapa–Mt. Ruapehu ski resort is that it is the biggest ski resort on the North Island and in New Zealand as a whole with more than 40 km (mi) of slopes and more than 10 ski lifts in total. It is also known for Mount Ruapehu (2,797 m / 9,176 ft), its highest peak, which is an active stratovolcano of the Taupo Volcanic Zone with the only glaciers in this part of the country. The first word in the name of the resort, Whakapapa, means "genealogy" in the language of Maori, the native people of New Zealand. The resort is best suitable for intermediate skiing — most of its slopes are red. However, for advanced skiers, there are also more than 10 km of black runs. The most common type of ski lift is a chairlift. The Whakapapa–Mt. Ruapehu season is from mid June to late October in general.