National Park Accommodation
National Park Village is another option for Mt Ruapehu accommodation. The village is about 16km away from the Whakapapa Ski Field. The village is rather small and only has a couple of bistros and bars, and a few ski shops, yet there are a surprising number of options for National Park accommodation.
Ohakune Accommodation
Ohakune (pronounced Oha-koo-nee) is the closest town to
Turoa ski field, only 17 kilometres down the mountains. Ohakune accommodation includes lots of affordable options such as backpackers, lodges and motels, and there are a couple of deluxe Ohakune hotels and self-contained accommodation as well, but none of the Ohakune accommodation is ultra luxurious.
Ohakune is a sleepy, laid-back town with a population of 1,200. However, the town swells with tourists and becomes a busy hub on weekends in peak ski season (July/August) as the main form of Turoa accommodation. Ohakune is known as the North Island’s après ski capital and there are various trendy cafes, a few bars and lots of restaurants. It is a far cry from Queenstown or Wanaka, so don’t expect fancy cocktail bars.
Mt Ruhapehu Accommodation
Mt Ruapehu accommodation is plentiful for those skiing at Mount Ruapehu (Turoa and Whakapapa ski fields), doing the Tongariro Crossing, mountain bike riding, or other adventures around the Tongariro National Park. Mt Ruapehu accommodation is primarily located in the town of Ohakune, Whakapapa Village or National Park Village. For those skiing and snowboarding, part of your choice of Ruapehu accommodation may be dependent on which of the Ruapehu ski resorts you’re likely to spend more time at.
Distances to
Turoa Ski Field: Ohakune 17km (20-30 minute drive); National Park Village – 53km (45 minute drive); and Whakapapa Village – 68km (55 minute drive).
Road distances to
Whakapapa ski field: Whakapapa Village – 7km (7-10 minute drive); National Park Village – 22km (20 minute drive); and Ohakune – 56km (45 minute drive).
Whakapapa Village Accommodation
Whakapapa accommodation consists of club ski lodges at the base of the Whakapapa Ski Field which offer simple family friendly lodging. Most people stay in Whakapapa Village accommodation which is 7km (10 minutes drive) from the
Whakapapa ski field. The Chateau Tongariro is the jewel of Whakapapa Village accommodation. It’s one of New Zealand’s most historic hotels, with unsurpassed views of the National Park’s three volcanic peaks – Tongariro, Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe. Otherwise Whakapapa Village has a very small range of accommodation across the budget spectrum.
All Whakapapa accommodation areas are serviced by a shuttle service to transport skiers and boarders to and from the ski area.