Another volcanoe resort, Monganui sits on the side of Mt Taranaki - a completely conical, classically shaped volcano!
Probably not somewhere you would do a season, but a great wee resort to visit especially if you're spending the season skiing at Mt Ruapehu. Monganui is around 330km from Wellington and 230km from Ohakune (Mt Ruapehu) so its fairly isolated, but the experience makes the drive worth it!
The resort is around 60 hectares and the summit of Mt. Taranaki is at 2518 metres, though the fable 'Top Tow' just goes up to 1680 (leaving you with a fair hike before you can look into the crater before skiing back down!) Manganui Ski Area consists of gentle intermediate runs and open bowls. Manganui ski resort has a T-Bar, a learner’s rope tow, access tow, and a fixed grip rope tow or ‘Nutcracker’ (The Top Tow). Most ski mountaineers just have to see one photo of Mt Taranaki covered in snow before wanting to make the trip... the SkiMountain team have it high on the list next time they're skiing in NZ!
From the car park you have a bit of a walk to the field (aroudn half an hour). The walk is one of the reasons why club field skiing is a great experience - not everyone is up for it, so there ends up being a really good vibe on the hill between those who have bothered to get up there! Think of the walk as a good warm up!
You will need to carry your gear up the steeper first part of the track to the “Flying Fox” goods lift (10-15min from car park). So a backpack to carry essentials is a good idea.
Good alpine footwear is a must. The track and steps can get icy and/or wet at times, especially the shady field side (north side) of the gorge. Boarders tend to walk up in their snowboard boots. However walking up in ski boots would be a painful experience!
The Learners Rope Tow is a gentle slope with a short run and adequate space while the T-bar is all intermediate level. Nice and rolly and open. Quite small runs but generally uncrowded. It is only later in the day that you may have to cue on the lift. Because of this and the friendly club atmosphere, the T-bar runs rate as some of the best learning grounds in the North Island.
The Top Tow is a lot steeper (25-30deg ave). Imagine the front side of Treble Cone, without the groomed trails. Big open faces, natural ½ pipe valleys, cool terrain and views. It is mostly rated expert, but strong intermediates can ski here with fun and confidence in favorable snow conditions.
Taranaki is subject to coastal weather patterns, so snow conditions can change overnight. If the snow is good it pays to get up here and get it while it’s ‘on’.
Early season the field loses the sun after 2pm, so the snow can get firmer then (on occasion this can make the snow better).
The Top tow can get icy. Sometimes it can look good from below but is too bulletproof to operate safely. Big shiny patches are a tell tale sign that it is very firm up there.
