Limited earlybird passes on sale for next Mt Ruapehu ski season

The number of season passes for 2021 will be decreased by 20 per cent. Photo / Supplied

The number of passes for Mt Ruapehu's 2021 ski season has been reduced by 20 per cent from this year's allocation and punters will have to be quick to purchase one.

Earlybird 2020/21 season passes go on sale today at midday, and, unlike previous years, they will only be available until the end of October or until sold out.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL) CEO Jono Dean said he expected them to be "snapped up very quickly".

"This year, with all the challenges faced by the RAL team and visitors, we've decided to focus on the whole mountain offering, the overall experience and how we can make it even better for 2021," Dean said.

"With that in mind we're limiting the number of passes available to 20 per cent less than this year.

"The 2021 season at Mt Ruapehu will be all about visitors being able to make the most of every day on the mountain, and a deliberate shift for us towards sustainable guest numbers."

An earlybird adult mid-week pass will cost $299 and an earlybird adult anytime season pass is $599.

The early season passes include a free youth season pass with each adult season pass sold, a 15 per cent discount on food and beverage and retail, night skiing at Whakapapa, and free skiing from purchase until the end of the 2020 season (including November extensions).

"Kiwis headed to the mountain as much as they could this season, working around the varying Covid alert level restrictions that were in place, and we're looking forward to welcoming our guests again in 2021," Dean said.

Details are available at www.mtruapehu.com