Come 2019, Whakapapa ski fieldwill undergo a huge transformation with the introduction of a new, state-of-the-art Mt Ruapehu gondola. This exciting new feature will enhance the Mt Ruapehu tourism experience.
The Mt Ruapehu ski season is a hive of activity with visitors coming from far and wide to be first among the fresh powder. Getting back to the top after a glide down the mountain is currently done by chairlift. By the start of 2019’s ski season, visitors will have the luxury of traveling up the mountain by gondola.
New Zealand is no stranger to gondolas. Our tourism hotspots Rotorua, Christchurch and Queenstown are home to high-use gondolas which are utilised by both tourists and locals every day of the week.
Thanks to Ruapehu Alpine Lifts, our beloved Mt Ruapehu is about to get a gondola of its own.
Gondola vs chairlift? Gondola wins
You might love skiing but this doesn’t necessarily mean you love heights! Even the most experienced skier can find a chairlift ride a little unnerving. Not only is it sometimes hard to look down, getting on and off is an art form all on its own. And what about when it stops mid-lift while you and your dangling legs hover over the snow!
We’re so used to the chairlift being the single mode of transport up Whakapapa but many have imagined the luxury of doing the journey in a gondola.
Traveling at 6m per second, the trip is much faster than the chairlift. Being much more durable in different kinds of weather, it means the Mt Ruapehu gondola will also have fewer closed days.
The deadline is in sight for the Mt Ruapehu gondola project
Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL) have done all the necessary ground work. They aim to complete the Mt Ruapehu gondola by the beginning of the 2019 ski season. So by next year, visitors will be cruising up Mt Ruapehu in style.
Completing such a major project in such a short period of time means work will get underway in the very near future. RAL is sure that by meeting the milestones of the critical timeline, the gondola will be up and running by its 2019 deadline.
The new Mt Ruapehu gondola will replace the current Waterfall Express chairlift, starting at Whakapapa’s base area and climbing to the Knoll Ridge café. The trip will take five minutes at full speed.
These aren’t just any old gondolas
The gondola is expected to have 50 cabins, each capable of holding 10 passengers. This means the gondola will be able to transport up to 2,400 people every hour. Being two metres in height, even the tallest skier can stand up inside comfortably.
The gondolas have been described as having “business class luxuries” and they’re not wrong. With ski racks, leather seats and WiFi on board, these gondolas will revolutionise the way visitors travel up the Whakapapa ski field.
Following European trends, the gondola has proven to be a more inviting mode of mountain transport, encouraging more visitors to the slopes.
Mt Ruapehu is set to become more accessible
Many people who visit Rotorua’s Skyline gondola don’t necessarily want to have a blast on the luge. The same will go for Mt Ruapehu once the new gondola is built.
The ski fields are generally only visited by skiers and snowboarders. However the new Mt Ruapehu gondola gives visitors the opportunity to head up the mountain for different reasons. Whether you want to pop in for a lunch at the Knoll Ridge Café or build a snowman on the slopes, the gondola is going to open up the mountain for many different kinds of visitors.
Whakapapa is one of the country’s most popular ski fields. Its family-friendly slopes mean there are areas for skiers of all ages and experiences. With the new Mt Ruapehu gondola opening next year, Whakapapa is about to get a wonderful makeover.
In the winter months, Mt Ruapehu is the reason many visit the Tongariro National Park area. Only 15 minutes from Whakapapa ski fields, The Park Hotel is the perfect location for visitor accommodation. Being so close to the mountain, guests can get the best of the early snow.
After a day out in the snow, there’s nothing better than coming home to a beautiful meal at our Spiral Bar and Restaurant followed by a warm soak in our outdoor hot tubs.
Our staff have an extensive knowledge of the area so if there’s anything you’d like to know, we are only too happy to help.
Winter is a busy season for Tongariro National Park, so call today and get your accommodation sorted.
Booking in advance is the best way to ensure you can enjoy great accommodation on your visit to Mt Ruapehu.