Mt Ruapehu: Snow bunnies (+ competition)

It's easy for complete beginners to find their feet at Mt Ruapehu's Whakapapa Ski Field.

It's easy for complete beginners to find their feet at Mt Ruapehu's Whakapapa Ski Field. Mum, we've been snowed on - how cool!

"Do I have to get on that thing to go down to the snow!?"

On a sunny spring morning at Mt Ruapehu's Whakapapa Ski Field, dozens of people of all ages, shapes and sizes were hopping on to the chairlift to be carried down to the beginners' slopes of Happy Valley.

But Miss 10 was wary. She doesn't like heights so was reluctant to take the short ride down. While Dad cajoled her, I pursued Miss Six who saw the chairlift as an amusement park ride and, keen to get skiing, would have quite happily jumped on solo and neglected to get securely seated.

Just hours later, Miss 10 was beaming while Miss Six was in higher spirits than usual; Happy Valley put a smile on their faces. They'd finally been to the snow, given skiing a go and - best of all, they said - tried tobogganing. Miss Six also added that she'd eaten snow and enjoyed it very much; I'm not sure that's a good thing but it didn't seem to harm her.

The experience was all new to us but friendly staff at the Ruapehu Snowsports Centre made it easy for us, as complete beginners, to find our feet in the snow with learn-to-ski or snowboard packages including lift passes, equipment rental and a session with a qualified instructor. Turoa and Whakapapa fields on the slopes of Mt Ruapehu offer beginner and experienced skiers natural skiing and snowboarding terrain.

We picked a Discover Package at Happy Valley, a complete learners' area with its own cafe, extensive rental complex, ski school and slow-moving chairlift - so you can take in the stunning views - to the top of the slope. It also has a free tobogganing area, which is a popular drawcard for families who would rather play than ski.

Getting kitted out is a well-organised process. The challenge of finding the right sized clothes and boots, skis and poles moves quickly enough to avoid whining from kids about when we'd be outside. Putting on tight-gripping ski boots left us all clomping around feeling as if our feet were made of lead but we adjusted to the sensation and galumped out to the snow.

It was a crisp cold but once our ski lesson started, we warmed up. Instructor Victoria was patient and gave clear instructions and had Miss 10 managing to move and Miss Six, along with her father, making speedy progress. She reported back that skiing feels fun, but is quite scary when you start picking up speed (maybe she's not as reckless as she appears). After the lesson, and a little more time on the skis, tobogganing beckoned. A good length of time was spent whizzing down a gentle slope with Miss Six positioned at the front of the hired toboggan like some sort of goblin hood ornament and the rest of us doing our best to convince her to hold on.

Miss 10 declared she'd like to pursue tobogganing as her next winter sport.

As heavier snow began to fall - "Mum, we've been snowed on - how cool!" - we decided to return the following morning. But by Sunday, heavy snow was falling and high winds buffeted the mountain; skiers were hunkered down in clubhouses and, eventually, the access road was closed. Such is nature but the girls thought it would be pretty neat to be trapped in a cosy clubhouse for a night or two. That storm has led to some of the best skiing conditions of recent years.

Need to know

Play: With record spring snows, everyone is naming 2015 as one of the great seasons, running until Labour Weekend. October discounted all-mountain adult day pass $60, youth day pass $40 (minimum two-day purchase, adult $120, youth $80). For live webcams from Whakapapa and Turoa see here.

Stay: We stayed in a snug chalet-style apartment at The Park Hotel in Ruapehu Village. It's perfect for families, with great facilities including inviting hot tubs, a landscaped courtyard with hammocks and self-catering. The on-site Spiral Restaurant and Bar with a blazing fire, laid-back vibe and stonkingly hearty breakfasts and dinners pleased us all. No request was too much trouble; everything we ordered was excellent. Ph 0800 800 491.

Drive: There was an added bonus for us adults, test-driving a new Ford Focus Titanium. A roomy hatchback, it has all the bells and whistles (heated seats! onboard computer! reversing camera!) you could want on a road trip. Not being a motoring writer, I can only describe the feel of the drive as smooth and zippy. We might have had to carefully monitor our speed because it could creep up without feeling like we were about to take off but the onboard cruise control took care of that. It was a joy to drive and made a fun family trip even happier.

Be in to win

To celebrate Mt Ruapehu's extended season for 2015, we're offering one lucky reader the chance to win a family Mt Ruapehu learn to ski/board package worth $800. Perfect for those keen to try their hand at skiing or snowboarding, the package includes a full-day beginners' area lift pass (to ride the lifts at Whakapapa's Happy Valley or Alpine Meadow at Turoa), and a full-day hire of skis, boots and poles or snowboard and boots, as well as a Discover ski or snowboard group lesson.

The package includes two adult Discover packages and up to three child/youth (5-18 years) Discover packages, two nights' accommodation at The Park, plus a $50 food and beverage voucher. Prize is not transferable and must be redeemed by October 26, 2015.

To enter: Go to nzherald.co.nz/weekender, enter your details and the keywords 'Ruapehu Discover Package' by midnight, Wednesday October 7.

Dionne was the guest of Ford NZ, the Park Hotel Ruapehu and Ruapehu SnowSports.