Updated: 16 September 2025
Whakapapa open for school holidays, big snow and good times!
16 September 2025 – Whakapapa is ready for the school holidays with 37 cm of fresh snow in the last week. Conditions are the best they’ve been in a long time. With a solid base across the trails and more settled spring weather on the way (though a few storms are still in the mix), it’s shaping up to be the perfect time to get back to Whakapapa.
Whakapapa open and ready to deliver an epic school holidays? Hell Yeah! Spring skiing here means bluebird days, corn snow, that make time on the mountain unforgettable – whether you’re exploring Happy Valley or riding high on the upper mountain. It’s time to get to the mountain.
Spring is looking epic at Whakapapa!
3 September 2025 – Whakapapa is looking the best it has all season, with a fresh top-up of snow setting the mountain up for an epic spring. Coverage is strong from top to bottom, and with more snow in the forecast heading into the weekend, conditions are only getting better. Spring skiing is set to be epic this year. We’re stoked for them — it’s been a trying season, but now it’s game on!
Possible Big Snow coming this weekend & Early next week
27 August 2025 – More snow is on the way for Mt Ruapehu, with a winter blast expected to deliver a solid late-August top-up. After a windy midweek across the South Island, conditions turn colder on Sunday as a southerly change sweeps up the country. The result: fresh powder for Ruapehu’s slopes (Whakapapa and Tūroa), with potentially up to half a metre up top.
Clear Skies and fresh coverage at Whakapapa
22 August 2025 – It’s a bluebird day at Whakapapa, with crisp air, cool temps, and a solid snow base across the mountain. While there’s been no fresh snowfall in the last 24 hours, the resort picked up 24cm in the past week, and snowmaking crews made the most of ideal overnight conditions to refresh the trails.
The snow base now sits at 55cm at the top of the Knoll T-Bar and 53cm at the top of the Sky Waka gondola. With fine weather forecast through the weekend, it’s a perfect time to head up and enjoy the slopes.
Almost all major lifts are open, including Rangatira, Delta, Valley T-Bar, Happy Valley beginners area, and the sledding and snow play zones. Work continues on the Knoll T-line and surrounding trails, with updates expected next week.
Fresh Snowfall at Whakapapa Ski Area
Whakapapa Ski Area has picked up around 10-20cm of new snow, giving the mountain a much-needed winter refresh. The best coverage is on the upper slopes, where conditions are steadily improving.
The snowfall comes after a challenging start to the season, with limited terrain available. Groomers are working to prepare more runs, and visitors can expect better skiing and riding in the coming days. With more snow in the forecast through the weekend, Whakapapa is set to edge closer to full winter conditions for the first time this season.
