Altered transport options for Whakapapa ski field this season

Date:  17 June 2020 Source:  Department of Conservation and Ruapehu Alpine Lifts

In Whakapapa Village, DOC will limit the time vehicles can be parked in the village to between 15 minutes and a maximum of three hours.

For those using shuttle services to Whakapapa Ski Area, the best options are to use local shuttle operators from the new Park and Ride facilities at National Park Village, or shuttles from another local town.

DOC Tongariro Operations Manager Connie Norgate says: “We want to thank transport operators in particular for their support and patience ahead of this season.”

“We really appreciate local businesses and visitors adapting to these changes and helping to manage the unique values of Tongariro National Park Dual World Heritage Area appropriately,” Ms Norgate says. 

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL) CEO Jono Dean says: “Although RAL won’t be offering a shuttle service this season, there are a number of great local shuttle operators who can get visitors to the ski field safely and conveniently from local towns.”

“Due to challenges associated with COVID-19 we’ve had to make some hard decisions this year to limit our lift facilities. To help ensure skiers and snowboarders can have a safe and enjoyable experience this season, we will be aiming to manage ski field numbers to 4500 a day at Whakapapa and 3700 at Turoa.” 

As in previous seasons, once carparks at Whakapapa Ski Area are full, the Bruce Rd will be closed to private vehicles.

Weather and road conditions on the mountain can lead to closure of the Bruce Rd, or restrictions on vehicles which can use it. These include:

• 2WD with chains
• 4WD
• Chains on all vehicles

More information

• Check the status of the Bruce Road and Ski Area carparks
• Shuttle services to Whakapapa Ski Area
• Whakapapa Village parking

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