Ruapehu Summer Activities

Ruapehu Spring/Summer/Autumn programme 2024/2025 - come stay! 

What... Encouraging ASC members (and their families and friends) to use the club’s Ruapehu Lodges out of the ski season

Why...  To become a more prosperous, vibrant, fun and financially viable club

When...  October 2024 thru' to April 2025

How much..

• Adult member:                    $42.5/night
• Junior member (3-21 yrs):  $24/night
• Adult guest:                         $45/night
• Junior guest (3-21 yrs):       $29/night 

Note that rates charged may change as the site is updated.

How to book?  ...  http://www.alpinesports.org.nz/huts/hut-bookings/bookings/makebooking

Club members are warmly invited to spend some time at our lodges at Ruapehu over summer to enjoy the myriad of activities in the area.  Encourage your friends and family to join you for some fun and recreation.

Feel free to do your own thing, join up with others staying in the lodge to do what they're doing, offer to lead an activity ..... the options are endless! 

Glimpse of Tongariro National Park attractions...

 Here are a couple of quick links to things to do, places to see  in Tongariro National Park ...... while you're staying at our lodge!

We've included links for specific activities ..... check it out! 
 

Sledging!!!

We're hoping the new Snow Factory at Whakapapa will be busy making snow daily over the summer season!!  If so, Sledging will be available in the Plaza at the top of the Bruce Road in front of the main buildings (Lorenz's, retail shop etc).  There's a charge for this and hire of sledges as it does cost to manufacture snow in summer!! 

Tramping/running

• Tongariro Alpine Crossing (note:  carparking near Mangatepopo limited to 4 hrs) - car-pooling or shuttle from Whakapapa Village
  • look out for the Plains of Gorgoroth and Mt Doom (Lord of the Rings filming locations!)
    
    
    
    
• Ruapehu Crater Lake (via RAL chairlifts if desired)
• Guided (Ruapehu) Crater Lake Hikoi (6 hours) 
• Skyline Ridge Walk (via RAL chairlifts) from Knoll Ridge cafe
• Meads Wall Walk (via RAL chairlifts)
• Lower and Upper Tama Lakes
  
  

• Ohakune Old Coach Road 
• Lake Surprise tramping track (advanced - 5 hrs return) 
• Old Blyth tramping track (advanced - 5 hrs return)  
• Taranaki Falls (2 hrs loop walk from Tongariro National Park Visitor Centre) 
  
  
  
  
• Silica Rapids Walking Track - 2.5 hrs /7km return to Bruce Road
• More walks in and around Tongariro National Park

Mountain biking (and BMX track)

• Ohakune Old Coach Road
  
  
  
  
• 42nd Traverse
• Bridge to Nowhere
• The Timber Trail
• Fishers Track .... Grade 2, 27km
• Te Pepe BMX Pump Track 
  
  

Climbing

• Meads Wall
• Whakapapa Gorge (behind Meads Wall)
  
  
  
  
• Pehi's Bluff
• Mangatepopo Bluffs
• Holl's Rock - above Upper Tama Lake
• Wall of Sound (Tukino) - advanced climbing
• White Falls (Upper Mangaturuturu Valley) - advanced climbing
  
  

Sightseeing/Walking

• Moordoor and Emyn Muil (‘Lord of the Rings’ filming locations!)  -Whakapapa Ski Field
• Rangatira Express - scenic chairlift rides for views of Mt Ngauruhoe plus light meals and coffee at the Schuss Haus Corona Bar on Whakapapa Ski Field
• Scene of Tangiwai disaster - Tangiwai Memorial (10 km west of Waiouru)
• High tea at Chateau Tongariro Hotel
• Raurimu Spiral (north of National Park)
• National Park Visitor Centre (National Park)
• Ohakune area short walks 
  • Mangawhero Forest Walk (wheelchair access) 
  • Rimu Walk
  • Mangawhero Falls
    • Ithilien (Lord of the Rings filming location!)
  • Waitonga Falls
• Waiouru Army Museum (including KidzHQ) - SH1 and Hassett Drive, Waiouru
• Tongariro National Trout Centre (near Turangi) SH1

- check their website for Public Kids Fishing Days and/or group bookings for over 15 people 

•  Lake Rotopounamu track (easy - 2hrs or shorter 20 min option)
  
  
   
• Tokaanu Thermal Walk and Pools (n.w. of Turangi)
• Smash Palace (car salvage yard in several NZ movies) - Horopito, SH4, south of Whakapapa

Fishing

• Turangi - trout fishing hub on southern edge of Lake Taupo
• Lake Otamangakau

Stand up paddle boarding

• Lake Otamangakau

Emerald and Blue Lakes  .... view from a Cesna ....

and many, many more walking, mountain-biking, climbing and socialising opportunities!!!

For more information on any of the activities listed above please send your inquiries to: email@alpinesport.org.nz