Whakapapa and Turoa make up New Zealand's largest ski resort, Mt Ruapehu.  Sited on the slopes of this massive active volcano, skiers frequenting Whakapapa will always enjoy that little bit extra adrenaline knowing that an erruption could happen at any time!  In 1995 / 96 the volcano shut the resort for the whole season, while another erruption in 2007 caused further closures.  However the ski area has put alot of effort into protecting skiers - lift queues and cafes have been moved away from lahar paths and a sophisticated early warning system now operates on Ruapehu which should give visitors to the ski areas time to get out of the valleys and move to higher ground!  Scared yet?

Never mind, the volcano shouldn't put you off - you're more likely to come a-cropper on one of New Zealand's ski access roads than from lava burns!  The volcanic activity has also created some fantastic terrain on Mt Ruapehu.  Whakapapa is undoubtedly one of the biggest and best NZ ski resorts and the ski season can be long - its not unheard of for there to still be good spring skiing at New Year making endless winter's truly an option!

Most skiers doing a ski season at Whakapapa base themselves at the town of Ohakune.  It might not be as picturesque as Wanaka or Queenstown (which are probably the other main contenders for places to spend a summer season), but you still get the cool resort/working town feel and if you can't decide whether to go South or North Island why not do both - the South Island ski season tends to start and finish earlier than the skiing at Whakapapa and Turoa so there's really no excuse.  Get yourself to Mt Ruapehu and get some volcanic freshies!