Whakapapa

Closed
SnowPak review
4
Customer reviews
3.8

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Pros
  • Family friendly
  • Large dedicated beginner area
  • Plenty of terrain for intermediates
Cons
  • Lack of nightlife and may experience crowds on weekends

Overall

4
Whakapapa is one of the top resorts in New Zealand. With 52 runs spanning 1,359 acres, it is well worth a visit if you find yourself in the area. To give you a snapshot of the resort, we've put together a comprehensive list of key statistics, including mountain profile, lift system, historical opening and closing dates, and ticket pricing. Make sure you read the reviews left by skiers and riders who've experienced it first hand, and check out how they rate the resort!

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2018 Historical Snowfall

20172018
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Whakapapa Reviews

Good 3.8 / 5
based on 6 reviews

How well the resort caters for beginner skiers / boarders

Beginners

How well the resort caters for intermediate skiers / boarders?

Intermediates

How well the resort caters for advanced skiers / boarders

Advanced

How accessible and convenient it is to get to this resort from a major destination

Accessibility

Quality of the off-piste terrain

Side/Backcountry

Overall value for money of the resort

Value for money

Quality of lifts, lift speed and lift layout in the resort

Lifts

Quantity and quality of the snow

Snow

How uncrowded is the resort

Uncrowded

Après ski and dining options

Town

Services and facilities e.g. child care, tubing, health care, equipment hire

Facilities

How family friendly is this resort?

Family Friendliness

Leave a Review for Whakapapa

Good!3.8 / 5Oct 15, 2021
Whakapapa ReviewsSteven T.
beginner snowboarder
Being one of the largest in New Zealand, this place is more family and tourist friendly for the beginners zone, and the far west part opens up kinda late this season due to poor weather and snow conditions. And they offer a fairly good courses for beginners.... More
Good!3.7 / 5Sep 07, 2020
Whakapapa ReviewsDylan B.
intermediate snowboarder
I'm a big Whakapapa fan. Sure, it can be wet and crowded on weekends but nothing beats good far west T on a weekday. Definitely worth the drive down if you live in Auckland.... More
Good!3.6 / 5Aug 19, 2020
Whakapapa ReviewsPollyanna G.
advanced skier
Whakapapa is a good all round resort. It caters for beginners down in Happy Valley and then further up the mountain you’ve got the harder terrain for more advanced skiers to get their turns in. For the more adventurous you can get some harder terrain/untouched snow with a short hike up about the top lifts. You do have to pick your days as the... More
Very Good!4.2 / 5Jan 05, 2020
SBSacha B.
intermediate snowboarder
Whakapapa Ski field is in the heart of the North Island of New Zealand. A skiers bestfriend and beginners harsh reality. Panoramic views make this ski field a must see in New Zealand, with runs ranging from easy, down in Happy valley, to more expert runs out west. Learning to snowboard on Mt Ruapehu opened my love for winter sports and taught me... More
Good!3.6 / 5Oct 15, 2019
Whakapapa ReviewsJana A.
expert snowboarder
Whakapapa has some amazing view on the surrounding mountains, when it is a clear day. Unfortunately the weather isn’t always sunny, and with low visibility and snowfall it can happen, that they shut the lifts. Non the less Whakapapa is totally worth visiting. It’s a wide skifield and especially springsnow is an amazing experience as in contrary to... More
Very Good!4 / 5Sep 30, 2019
Whakapapa ReviewsBlythe V.
expert skier
Plenty of varying terrain and on a good snow day is unbeatable. Huge field with great facilities, though sometimes a bit busy. Plenty of chairs which a pretty quick including the new gondola which gets you to the top in no time.... More