27/08/2023
Commemorating 70 years of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts.
This September marks 70 years since the inception of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts – the operator of Whakapapa and Tūroa Ski Areas.
To commemorate, on Friday 1 September, and for that day only, we will be offering discounted adult weekday passes for $70 (for 70 years). Youth passes will also be discounted to $45. Passes purchased on Friday 1 September can be used on any weekday across the remainder of the 2023 season. Buy online at mtruapehu.com/passes.
Up on mountain, we’d love for you to join us in commemorating the 70 year milestone on Saturday 2 September. Dress up in your vintage ski kit and enjoy late afternoon festivities in the Whakapapa plaza and at Lorenz’s Bar & Café from 4-7pm. Our plan is also to roll free twilight skiing at Whakapapa from 4-6pm, and free sightseeing on the Sky Waka gondola from 4-6pm also, conditions permitting.
More info to come!
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In 1953, Ruapehu Alpine Lifts was formed to support the development of Whakapapa Ski Area, before going on to purchase TÅ«roa Ski Area in 2000.
Back then, we wouldn’t have foreseen seeing in 70 years of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts whilst in liquidation – but here we are.
BUT!
We are also here in what is turning into one of the BEST snow seasons in recent memory!
TÅ«roa has ticked over 255cm snow base while pockets of up to 8m have been found at Whakapapa. People are continuing to report having the best days of their lives up on the slopes this season.
Generations of New Zealanders flock to Mt Ruapehu each year and we hope this will continue. Many discovered their first love of snow at our beginner facilities. Others have gone on to revel in our 1050 hectares of epic intermediate and advanced freeride terrain.
There has been good, bad, and sometimes even ugly, but we want to celebrate Mt Ruapehu, its loyal following, and our incredibly hard working team. Those who continue to swing the yeti sticks against our world renowned ice, groom through the night to millimetre perfection, stand in bitter southerly fronts in the plazas to greet and support our manuhiri, manage our (aging) infrastructure and the technical curve balls it throws us, navigate the logistics of transporting food and drinks to 2020m above sea level, and the rest.
While we expect this might be the last season of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts, we remain hopeful of a future of snow sports on Maunga Ruapehu. We hope you will commemorate this milestone with us, sharing your love, energy, stories, and photos of the magic maunga.
â›·: Lyall Adam Crump
📷: Derek Morrison (taken circa ‘94)
