Whakapapa skifield

Whakapapa Skifield
View from car park
Whakapapa Skifield Whakapapa skifield is in the Manawatū-Whanganui region
Location	Mt. Ruapehu, Tongariro National Park, New Zealand
Coordinates	39°14′14″S 175°33′25″E / 39.23736°S 175.55696°E / -39.23736; 175.55696
Top elevation	2,300 m (7,546 ft)
Base elevation	1,630 m (5,348 ft)
Skiable area	1360 acres (550 ha)
Trails	67 named
Lift system	11 lifts: 1 Detachable Gondola 4 chairs (1 High-Speed Quad, 2 Quad, 1 Double), 3 Magic carpet, 3 T-Bars (Capacity 15,000ph)
Website	http://www.whakapapa.com/

Whakapapa skifield is a commercial skifield on the northern side of Mount Ruapehu in Tongariro National Park, New Zealand. It is one of three skifields on the mountain, the others being Turoa, which is on Ruapehu's south-western slopes and Tukino on the eastern slopes. The ski season is generally from late June to late October, depending on snow and weather conditions. The terrain at Whakapapa Skifield is divided up as 25% beginner, 50% intermediate and 25% advanced.

Access to the skifield is by Bruce Road, a two-lane, 6 km (3.7 mi) sealed road. Limited accommodation and refreshments are available at the entry to the skifield, and elsewhere on the mountain. Alpine huts are provided for trampers and climbers. Ruapehu's two skifields are collectively the largest ski resort in New Zealand.^{[citation needed]} Turoa has a slightly longer season, generally opening a week before Whakapapa and closing early November. Both are operated by Ruapehu Alpine Lifts. Chateau Tongariro, which has appeared on several New Zealand stamps, is a feature of Whakapapa village.