Turoa

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Turoa is a large skifield on the south western side of Mount Ruapehu, the highest mountain in the North Island of New Zealand.

There is a good mix of beginner, intermediate, and expert skiing routes. There is a mix of natural pipes, steep drops, fast plains, and easy slopes to suit the needs of all skiers and boarders. With over 400 hectacres (1000 acres) and 720 metres (2362 feet) vertical, Turoa offers plenty of variety. The skifield is reached via the Mountain Road from the town of Ohakune.

The Mountain Road was built by locals from Ohakune, mostly during weekends after they formed the Mountain Road Association in 1952. Their aim was to open Ruapehu's southern slopes for skiing, partly as a replacement industry for the decline in logging which had sustained the town for the previous decades. The now renamed Ministry of Works helped with the road on one occasion by 'misplacing' a culvert destined for another roading project. The 17 kilometres-long road was opened in 1963. It winds up through spectacular native forest before breaking out above the tree line and finishes at a carpark below the bottom chairlift.

Mount Ruapehu's two skifields, Whakapapa skifield and Turoa skifield, are considered to be the largest ski resort in New Zealand and possibly the southern hemisphere.

On a good day it is possible to hike to the top of the mountain with skis or snowboard in hand, view the Crater Lake, and then ski back down to the field. Also on a clear day Mount Taranaki can be seen.

A new high speed six-seater chairlift has been added for the winter of 2007, replacing an existing t-bar to the top of the mountain.