We decided to teach the kids to ski and what better place than in the middle of the North Island New Zealand on the very impressive Mount Ruapehu, a live volcano that's high enough and (generally) inactive enough to receive a fair dusting of snow each winter, the mountain is the centrepiece of the Ruapehu National Park.
There are two ski fields on either side of this mountain - Turoa and Whakapapa. Both boast similar terrain and facilities. There's a good mix for all abilities, from the almost-flat field that is Happy Valley for beginners to the trickier gullies accessed by the highest T-bars. The more intrepid have even been known to hike up to the active crater lake right on top of the mountain.
Catering to each ski field are two small villages on either side of the mountain and both provide a wide range of pubs, clubs, restaurants and accommodation. On the Whakapapa side, it's the National Park Village where you will find the Park Ranger's headquarters with lots of information about the area. This side also boasts the rather glamorous Tongariro Chateau, an historic hotel complete with ballroom and indoor swimming pool.
We chose Turoa basing ourselves in the very gorgeous little town of Ohakune. A fun-loving, lively little village that earns its living growing carrots in the summer. The biggest carrot being dangled for most in the area, however, is the chance to get on the mountain in winter.
The kids started off rather badly we pretty much just put skis on their feet and sent them down the mountain. After a few rather large crashes they were quickly making the decision that they hated this sport and looked like throwing in the towel. We persuaded them to give it one more go and if they didnt like it we would give it a miss and head to the cafe.
But skiing to me is like learning to ride a bike it seems difficult and hard to get the hang of but then all of a sudden it just falls into place and you're off. That exactly what happened and the kids were tearing down the mountain looking like pros just twenty minutes later. The beginner slope is wide, safe and the staff were fantastic. Standing at the top we could spot the kids zooming down and then heading back up the lift. Each time I got to the lift the staff attendants would tell me exactly where the boys where, they'd say Josh was through 2 minutes ago he'll be up the top now and Nath is on the lift now. How reassuring for an over worrying mother!!!
Eventually the day was over and they shut the lifts and we broke the news to the kids we'd have to leave and come back tomorrow. The kids couldnt get enough of skiing and even tried to convince us they didnt need the lifts and would walk back up the mountain if they could stay for a few more runs. Of course that wasn't possible and they had to face the facts that todays skiing day was over.
We stayed a few more days and progressed up to some harder runs. We all had such a wonderful holiday and the kids beg us each year to go back again.
Want to take the kids on a ski holiday to New Zealand? BYOkids have packages available to both the North and South Island including flights, accommodation, ski passes, lift passes, sightseeing, car hire and more! Call us 1300 296 543
