Winter Activities

Winter activities

Skiing and Boarding

Throughout the ski season the Tararua Tramping Club runs many ski, ski-touring, snowboarding, and instruction trips, including both weekend and week-long trips to Mount Ruapehu and sometimes further a field to South island ski-fields. Check out the Club's snow ski and board fixture card.

Non-club members are welcome on all trips - but we also have one special rate weekend for potential club members! 12/13th August

Learn to Ski or Board Course August 12/13th

Ski or Board Instruction with the Tararua Tramping Club is a great way to meet other beginners and the club skiers. We don't promise to turn you into a downhill champion, but if you're a little flexible and of average fitness, we will introduce you to skiing, in a fun, friendly and un-pressured environment.

The Learn to Ski or Board course is designed for the 'never ever' beginners through to beginners who may have been skiing a few times. Non members stay at the lodge at members rates. Ski hire and instruction are organised through RAL. Club members will go out skiing with you after your lessons.

The course consists of an information evening on clothing and equipment held at the clubrooms and one weekend which is held at the club ski lodge on the Whakapapa Ski-field. The practical weekend trips leave Wellington on a Friday night and upon arrival we usually walk up to the lodge, which is a 40 minute walk up the ski field. The trips return on the Sunday night.

With Ski Instruction, the hassle of organising your Learn to Ski weekend is taken away. We share transport to reduce costs and take care of the weekend food. Lodge charges are very reasonable.

For full details of the course come along to our Winter Activities Promotion Night or one of the regular club meetings and chat with a member of the ski committee or contact Ski Lodge Committee -> mailto:ttc-ski-instruction [snail] ttc [period] org [period] nz?Subject=Query%20from%20TTC%20website on (04) 383 4980 .

Tararua Lodge - the Club's Alpine Lodge

Many ski trips are held at Tararua Lodge, our club's alpine lodge situated right on the Whakapapa Ski field on the northern slopes of Mt Ruapehu, a 10 minute walk from the top of the Rock Garden and Centennial chairlifts.

Facilities at the lodge include 31 bunks, bathrooms with hot showers, drying room, full kitchen and dry stores, ski service area, comfortable lounge with stunning views of Whakapapa Ski field and Mt. Ngauruhoe.

Tararua Lodge can also be booked by clubmembers, non-clubmembers, and independent parties. For more information about the Lodge and booking prices, click here?.

Special Rates Weekend for Non-clubmembers

Non-clubmembers are welcome on all trips, but one special weekend is available to encourage skiers and boarders to come along and experience skiing with our club at member's rates. That's accommodation on the mountain for $28 per night! The next weekend will be in 2011.

Club ski trips to the mountain share transport to reduce costs and take care of the weekend food. All that you are expected to do is a few small chores. This makes skiing for the weekend a breeze. Trips leave on Friday night and we usually walk up to the lodge that night. The lodge is a 40 minute walk up the ski field.

If this sounds like you come and try us out. Spaces are limited, so book early. If you have any questions phone Ski Lodge Committee -> mailto:ttc-ski-instruction [snail] ttc [period] org [period] nz?Subject=Query%20from%20TTC%20website on (04) 383 4980 .

Ski Trips for Families and Children

The Club runs several ski trips for family groups to Tararua Lodge on the Whakapapa Skifield during the winter season, ranging from weekends to week-long trips.

For further enquiries, come along to any Tuesday night club meeting or contact Anne Dowden -> mailto:ttc-family [snail] ttc [period] org [period] nz?Subject=Query%20from%20TTC%20website on (04) 380 6868.

For information about other ski trips run by the club, check our snow fixture card.

For more information about the other kinds of family trips run by the club, click here.

Whakapapa Expenses

Here's an idea of the costs for a typical weekend at the Tararua Tramping Club Ski Lodge.

How do I join in?

Upcoming ski trips are listed on this website, in the monthly Tararua Tramper magazine, and on the ski noticeboard at the club rooms.

To sign onto a trip, contact the leader of the trip to discuss the trip, transport arrangements (usually a car pool), and equipment. Alternatively, come along to any Tuesday night club meeting and put your name on the relevant trip list on the ski noticeboard.

If you need to hire ski equipment, the trip leader can recommend some ski hire shops. If you come on the Ski Instruction Course, the instructors will even pick up and return your hired ski gear for you.

For more information come along to one of the regular club meetings and chat with a member of the ski committee or contact Paul Maxim -> mailto:ttc-ski [snail] ttc [period] org [period] nz?Subject=Query%20from%20TTC%20website on (04) 389 6945.