Whakapapa Ski Area at Mount Ruapehu, New Zealand, Announces Season Pass Launch, Free Kids’ Passes, And Partnerships with Powder Alliance & SnowPlanet Last week we reported on the launch of season pass sales on the Tūroa side of Mount Ruapehu on New Zealand’s north island. The twin ski areas Whakapapa and Tūroa were split into two entities after the long-standing operator of both ski areas was forced into voluntary adminstration. This week, Whakapapa is excited to share its plans for the 2024 […] Industry News Kiwi Brains | April 15, 2024 0 Comments
Plans for 2024 Winter Season Revealed for Turoa Ski Fields, New Zealand On Saturday, April 6, the Department of Conservation announced that it has granted Pure Tūroa Limited a 10-year concession to operate the Tūroa ski field in New Zealand. The previous operator at Mount Ruapehu, Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL), was forced to file for voluntary bankruptcy in June 2023 following a poor season and two years of Covid-19-related closures. RAL had […] Industry News Julia Schneemann | April 8, 2024 0 Comments
First Snowfall of the Year Hits New Zealand It’s early autumn in the southern hemisphere and roughly three months until the first ski areas are set to open for the 2024 season. Early snowfall first fell on March 4, delivering five inches at the Cardrona Ski Area. After a few weeks dry spell, three more inches of snow has dropped on the ski area. Related: New Zealand Report: […] Industry News Luke Guilford | March 29, 2024 0 Comments
2 New Zealand Skiers Confirmed Dead And 1 Injured in Avalanche at Mount Yotei, Hokkaido, Japan Three skiers were caught in two separate avalanches in Hokkaido, Japan, on Monday, March 11, in the morning. Firefighters received a call to Mount Yotei around 10 a.m. where two skiers were buried. The search and rescue team located the backcountry skiers buried in the snow. The pair had suffered cardiac and pulmonary arrest and the rescue team started immediate […] Avalanche Julia Schneemann | March 11, 2024 1 Comment
Freehold Creek, New Zealand, Hike/Scout Report: In Search Of Secret Spaces Report from November 16, 2023 New Zealand’s Southern Alps are radical regardless of season. With snow retreating to summit line, the ‘green light’ is bright for hiking or climbing in search of New Zealand’s secret spaces—and Freehold Creek is a goodie. Found in the knife-sharp high country of New Zealand’s Mackenzie District, Freehold is a glacial moraine terrace […] Trip Report Paulie | November 19, 2023 0 Comments
Ben Ohau, New Zealand Hike/Bike Report: Up For The Downhill (And Vice-Versa) Report from October 31, 2023 Ben Ohau; a fixture summit with an undeniable natural magic. For decades, or longer, the enchanting summit has grabbed the admiration of artists, hikers, and now bikers. In a New Zealand nation of seriously stunner settings, Ben Ohau is easily among the most painted, photographed, and generally popular geographic elements. A old […] Trip Report Paulie | November 3, 2023 0 Comments
Hiking Temple Valley, New Zealand – a Wild Pilgrimage Report from October 28, 2023 This one’s a jump (with two feet) into true New Zealand ‘bush’ trek. Temple Valley has been on the radar for a long-long while, and a weather window arrived as if on special order. Temple enjoys a bit of a cult-ish following. First off, the valley is set amongst a vast geographic family […] Trip Report Paulie | October 30, 2023 0 Comments
Mount Cook, New Zealand, Trip Report: Befriending The Hooker October 24, 2023 A straight-laced outdoor option—and insta-classic New Zealand trek. A roundly approachable and oh-so-popular track in Aoraki / Mt. Cook National Park, Hooker Valley offers a full menu of all-ages fun at only sample platter effort. With an aim to continue trail training the micro-groms in our number, the group decided to knock out this picturesque icon […] Trip Report Paulie | October 26, 2023 0 Comments