Fresh snow at Mt Ruapehu has skiers and boarders excited for the spring season. Photo/File
Fresh snow at Mt Ruapehu has skiers and boarders excited for the spring season. Photo/File
Mt Ruapehu's Turoa and Whakapapa ski fields are both blanketed in snow thanks to around 80cm of fresh snow fall over the last three days.
Snow fell as low as Chateau Tongariro in Whakapapa Village and large snowdrifts have buried ski racks next to the Knoll Ridge cafe up atthe Whakapapa Ski Area.
The Turoa and Whakapapa operations teams have been working hard in blizzard conditions over the last few days, clearing snow and de-icing lift facilities.
Mt Ruapehu marketing manager Matt McIvor said they had had heavy snow dumps which "should make for epic skiing and snowboarding this spring season".
"While our new snowmaking machines are doing a superb job, a helping hand by Mother Nature is always welcomed," he said.
Yesterday more than 1000 people headed up to Whakapapa to experience the mid-winter conditions with more snow forecasted today.
"The locals will tell you, spring is the best time to ski Mt Ruapehu, with springy snow conditions and longer days," Mr McIvor said.
"There will be a lot of stoked skiers and riders up here once the weather clears and with our season running until October 23, there's still plenty of time to enjoy the mountain."
