Industry News
For the first time in two years, skiers and snowboarders at Whakapapa, New Zealand, can ride the West Ridge Quad chairlift, a milestone for a mountain that has endured bankruptcy, restructuring, and a future that not long ago seemed deeply uncertain. In October 2022 Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL) went into voluntary administration after two years of Covid-related disruptions and a bad season in 2022. Despite receiving approximately NZD 50 million (USD 30 million) in government funding to stay afloat, RAL could not secure a long-term solution and the ski lift operator of both Whakapapa and Tūroa ultimately filed for bankruptcy in June 2023. The resort reopened this season under new management by Whakapapa Holdings Limited (WHL), which is led by industry veteran Tom Elworthy.
The chair’s reopening at Whakapapa comes after the last three days delivered around 36 centimeters (14 inches) of fresh snow and a sustained push from patrol, grooming, maintenance, and operations teams who scrambled to complete the final safety checks. If the weather cooperates, the lift will operate through the rest of the season. It’s a small victory, but one that reflects a broader recovery at New Zealand’s largest ski area, which has only recently emerged from one of the most turbulent chapters in its history.
Whakapapa, located on the northern slopes of Mount Ruapehu in Tongariro National Park, and its southern counterpart Tūroa were once operated as a single entity under RAL, a not-for-profit company created in 1953. For decades, RAL oversaw both ski fields, marketing them as a unified product with a shared season pass and infrastructure investments. While the collapse of RAL resulted in the separation of the Whakapapa and Tūroa ski areas, both ski areas have soldiered on and have been experiencing a fantastic season this year, despite a slow start due to lack of snow in June.
“Getting lifts spinning out west is a big milestone,” Whakapapa wrote on its social media account—and you can sense the relief that years of turmoil are behind the popular ski area on New Zealand’s North Island. The lift, which serves advanced terrain on Whakapapa’s western flank, has sat idle for two years amid financial troubles and deferred maintenance. Getting it operational again required a concentrated effort by resort staff. “We’re confident the West Ridge chair will be available through to the end of the season if the weather holds,” the resort shared, “With that in place, the team now turns its focus to the Far West T-bar. We’ll need four good days in a row to get that underway and the next week’s forecast doesn’t show that window just yet.” The forecast is looking good at Mt. Ruapehu, with another 25 centimeters (10 inches) in the forecast until Tuesday, September 23.
Things are certainly looking bright this season at Whakapapa and the ski resort has also confirmed that its beginner-friendly Happy Valley terrain—home to ski and snowboard lessons, tubing, and sledding—will remain open until October 5. The assurance by the resort provides families and first-time skiers more opportunities during New Zealand’s school holidays.
With these assurances and the West Ridge Quad spinning again, the time to head to Mt Ruapehu is now. Please make sure to check whakapapa.com/report for the daily winter report for lift status and terrain updates, especially with changeable weather ahead.
West Ridge Quad
