For the beginners
Whakapapa ski area is the best place to learn to ski or board in New Zealand being home to New Zealand's premiere beginners' area, Happy Valley.
Happy Valley is located in its own valley with 4 learner conveyor lifts (2 covered), a slow-moving chairlift, café, rental complex and ski school meeting area. With its gentle slope and long profile, beginners can build confidence, have fun and feel safe in an enclosed area. For your little ones in tow, there’s also a lift-accessed sledding area.
For the Intermediate and Advanced
For intermediate and advanced skiers/riders, Whakapapa offers terrain from wide open runs to bowls, bumps, chutes and drops. There are more than 50 groomed trails to fall in love with at Whakapapa.
For freeskiers and snowboarders there are terrain parks on the lower mountain and extensive upper mountain lift facilities to access advanced black runs.
Services and Facilities
Opening Times
- 9am - 4pm 7 days
- Night Skiing | 4:30pm - 8pm Friday - Saturday
- Upper Mountain | July - 28 October
- Happy Valley | June - TBC
