Skip to main content
Whakapapa ski resort

Oceania

Whakapapa

Closed for the season

Best months to book: August, July, June · last season + 30-yr record

Not operating today

Weather data is still collected for informational purposes.

Last Snowfall

Oct 31

Past 24 Hours

4cm

Resort reported

Past 48 Hours

4cm

Past 10 Days

6cm

7-Day Forecast

0cm

Snow Depth

--

🎿

Powder Days

10

2026 season

☀️

Bluebird Days

2

2026 season

Updated: Oct 30, 9:09 PM•Weather at base: 1,630m

Local Snow

SnowSure Forecaster · October 31, 2026 · How we forecast →

0cm forecast over the next 7 days

Whakapapa is looking at 0.1cm over the next 7 days, with the biggest day on Monday.

Short-Term Forecast

The multi-model blend shows 0.1cm over the next 72 hours (Saturday 0cm, Sunday 0cm, Monday 0.1cm). The biggest day is Monday at 0.1cm.

Extended Forecast

The 7-day window totals 0.1cm. Models disagree by 0.5cm on the window total (6.4 models contributing on average), so treat the figures as a range rather than a promise. Best window: Monday.

Yesterday: 32cm forecast over the next 7 days

SnowSure™ ScoreAI
Not operating today

Whakapapa is closed for the season. Here is when it is usually best to book.

Best months to book: August, July, June. Best weeks: 15 Aug–21 Aug, 25 Jul–31 Jul, 1 Aug–7 Aug.3Jun2Jul1AugSepOctCloses 17 Oct

Best months to book

  1. #1August18cm avg · last season 33.2
  2. #2July16cm avg · last season 31.7
  3. #3June9cm avg · last season 10.4

Best weeks to book

  1. #1 15 Aug – 21 Aug · last season 38.3
  2. #2 25 Jul – 31 Jul · last season 44.7
  3. #3 1 Aug – 7 Aug · last season 36.3

Ranked on 25% last season's SnowSure score (2026) · 75% 30-year snowfall and base-depth record. The live score returns when the lifts turn.

—

Depth

Resort closed — no current ski-base depth.

—

Recent

In the last 24 hours, 3cm of snow has fallen, with a total of 6cm in the past 48 hours.

—

Forecast

Light snow possible this week.

—

Historic

So far this season, Whakapapa's snowfall is 94% of the 5-year average for this date, which is 127cm.

Not operating today · Data updated Fri, Oct 30, 09:09 PM UTC · informational only

Current Conditions

Reported Fri, Oct 30, 09:09 PM UTC

SurfaceVariable(Variable visibility)

Terrain

Not operating today

61 runs · 12 lifts — live counts and the SnowSure™ Score return when the lifts turn.

Ops signals

  • ●Fresh snow + cold temps — good grooming window next 48h

Snow Summary

Updated Oct 30 at 9:09 PM

119cm
Season
5cm
Past 10 days48H 5cm · 24H 4cm
0cm
Today
0cm
Next 6 days
Days 8–14 · Pro
Seasontotal
1
4
Thu29
Fri30
14 daystotal
—
—
0
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
WedOct 21
Thu22
Fri23
Sat24
Sun25
Mon26
Tue27
Wed28
TODAY31
SunNov 1
Mon2
Tue3
Wed4
Thu5
Fri6
Sat7
Sun8
Mon9
Tue10
Wed11
Thu12
Fri13
Freezing line
Snow qualityLight· bestAverage· okayHeavy· wet, skis heavy

Days 8–14 and every model are in SnowSure Pro.Unlock with Pro

No measurement at mid height (1,965m) reached us: past snow shown is the model's estimate at the summit.

Maps

All maps for Whakapapa →

Webcams & Proof of Powder

All webcams & Proof of Powder →
Whakapapa

About Whakapapa

Whakapapa is New Zealand’s largest ski area, located on the northwestern slopes of Mt Ruapehu in Tongariro National Park. The resort features over 550 hectares of skiable terrain, catering to all abilities with wide beginner slopes, intermediate trails, and advanced runs, as well as the renowned Sky Waka gondola offering panoramic views. Whakapapa’s amenities include a modern base area, equipment rentals, ski school, and multiple dining options, making it a versatile destination for families and adventure seekers. Its unique volcanic landscape and extensive facilities distinguish it as a premier ski destination in the Southern Hemisphere.

Read the full resort guide →

Frequently asked questions about Whakapapa

Where is Whakapapa?
Whakapapa is a ski resort in New Zealand.
How high is Whakapapa?
Whakapapa runs from a base elevation of 1,630 m (5,348 ft) to a summit of 2,300 m (7,546 ft), giving a vertical drop of 670 m (2,198 ft).
How big is Whakapapa?
Whakapapa has 1,360 acres (550 hectares) of skiable terrain, 61 marked runs and 12 lifts.
Which ski pass covers Whakapapa?
Whakapapa is on the Powder Alliance. Access terms such as blackout dates and day limits vary by pass tier, so check the pass operator for the current season.
When is ski season at Whakapapa?
Whakapapa typically operates from May to October. Exact opening and closing dates shift each year with snowfall — check the resort's current season dates before booking.
How much snow does Whakapapa get in a typical season?
Whakapapa averages 68 inches / 173 cm of snowfall in a typical season. Any individual season can run well above or below that.
How will El Niño affect Whakapapa in winter 2026?
El Niño Signal: under review — this station's record has an era discontinuity. We publish the station as under review rather than ranking a broken series.