Is It Worth Going to Mt Ruapehu without Skiing?

anderstand on 28/08/2017 - 10:55

I'm travelling to NZ with the family late September and will be around Taupo on the 27/28th September. We're planning to go to Waitomo from there.

We're not planning to ski, but heard that there's some views up Ruapehu that we can go using the ski lifts. It would be about 4-5 hours detour instead of going straight to Waitomo from Taupo I think, so what I'd like to know is if it's worth it doing the detour up to Ruapehu for just the views, cafe/pics at that time of the year/date or should we just skip it and spend it elsewhere?

Would the snow still be everywhere on the mountain? Would we need snow chains up to the ski lift car park? We would just be wearing sneakers, no snow boots so not sure if that's an issue.

We'll be travelling with elderly parents, if anyone has a suggestion on where we should stop along the way much welcomed.
We'll be doing Taupo cruise, and the short walk to Huka Falls

Thanks so much!

Travel

Comments

  • MrTweek on 28/08/2017 - 12:17
    +1

    I haven't been on top of Ruapehu, but been to the Nationalpark and did the Tongariro crossing and seen Ruapehu.

    It's definitely an impressive place, both Ruapehu and Tongariro. For me, this was the highlight of the North Island. Personally, I'd rather skip Taupo than that, but that obviously depends on what you personally like.
    Mind you, I was there in summer (late Feb). There was still some snow on Ruapehu.

    about 4-5 hours detour

    The driving itself is just maybe a 2 hour detour, so not bad.
    I found the drives in NZ generally pleasantly short, when being used to the distances in Australia ;)

    • anderstand on 29/08/2017 - 14:38

      Thanks. I saw some of the streetview/google maps pictures and was unsure. They look very rocky
      The 4-5 hours were in total back and forth with the ski lift, and spending time there, I guess maybe it's 3 -4 hours.

  • toniyellow on 28/08/2017 - 13:27
    +1

    If you can wait until the week before to have an idea of the weather, or ideally on the day to make the decision that would probably be best. Weather in ski areas is too unpredictable, and can vary a lot

    You can see what it looks like now - for instance today it seems they have low visibility so I doubt you would go up for the view. https://www.mtruapehu.com/winter/webcams

    It looks like they will still have lots of snow in a month.

    • anderstand on 29/08/2017 - 14:40

      Good point, wonder how dangerous for people skiing in that visilbility!
      Thanks

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