Sledding and snow play still free at Mt Ruapehu ski fields

Ruapehu skifields have designated areas where children can experience safe and free snow play.

You can still ride a toboggan free on Mt Ruapehu, despite reports that kids would be charged for their fun in the snow.

Ross Copland, chief executive of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL), which operates the skifields on the mountain, was caught in a backlash this week after media reports that fees would be charged for anyone wishing to access the Whakapapa and Turoa areas.

He told the Chronicle visitors could still bring their children to "experience their first taste of snow in the old-fashioned way" at Whakapapa from Meads Wall through to the free snow play area created at Happy Valley.

Turoa, he said, had a free sledding and snow play area at the bottom of the Alpine Meadow.

RAL is a not-for-profit company which has spent millions redeveloping areas of the skifields, including a $1.5 million snow-making machine, which enabled the early opening of Happy Valley this year.

Mr Copland, who took up his role in September, said there had been some changes to the free play areas because "of the 71 people injured at Turoa in 2015, 46 per cent were sledders and bystanders in the Alpine Meadow area".

He has been copping flak this week over the $139 family snow play pass which gives access to Whakapapa's (Happy Valley) or Turoa's (Alpine Meadow) play areas and includes sled hire and a sightseeing pass. Much of the opposition has come from parents of young children.

"They get cold and bored after an hour in the snow, and they are ready to leave," said one parent.

Mr Copland said parents had a range of options to give their children snow play experiences and the family pass is just one.

"The pass covers two adults and three dependent children for a fun day on the mountain."

Sam Clarkson, one of more than 4000 RAL shareholders and manager of Edge to Edge ski hire at Whakapapa, said he believed Mr Copland was on the right track to generate more tourism income for the region and profits to plough back into the company.

"The mountain belongs to the people so, of course, it is not justifiable to charge people to be on it," Mr Clarkson said.

"They are, however, providing the means to get up there and the word 'lifts' says it all - it really is that simple."

Mr Clarkson said RAL charges had to be sensible - "People bring their children to play in the snow, and that gives them an introduction so they will hopefully come back as skiers or snowboarders when they are older.

"I think $20 is a reasonable price for a lift pass for an hour on the Magic Carpet."

Whakapapa opened at Queen's Birthday weekend and Turoa is due to open on Saturday, July 1.

To learn more about pricing and other information visit the RAL website