Tūroa: a giant's legacy
Built to last
Tūroa Ski Area is reached via the iconic Ohakune Mountain Road, built by the determined locals of Ohakune in the 1950s. After forming the Mountain Road Association in 1952, their goal was clear—open Ruapehu’s southern slopes for skiing, providing a new industry as logging began to decline.
The 17-kilometre road was completed in 1963. By 1967, it reached what is now Tūroa base area, and in 1973, it became a legal road.
The winding route takes you through lush native forest, eventually breaking above the tree line to a parking area below the base of the chair lift, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
Tūroa Ski Area officially opened in 1979 and has been enjoyed by millions ever since.
In the 1980s, it embraced the iconic slogan 'Welcome to the Pleasure Dome,' capturing the excitement and adventure visitors could expect as they tried out the relatively new craze of snow sports.
By the early 2000s, the field proudly adopted "Tūroa, the Giant," emphasising the vast scale and stunning terrain of the ski area.
Today, Tūroa continues to offer world-class experiences and we are excited to head into a new era of growth, building on our rich history while looking forward to making memorable experiences for future generations.
Indicative Development Plan
Here are a few highlights of our exciting planned infrastructure developments for the Tūroa ski area. Below is centred around lifts infrastructure but we have a lot more planned including areas such as food and beverage facilities and improvements to other buildings and utilities. We will provide more detail as plans progress further.
We’re expanding. A brand-new covered Magic Carpet lift is coming to enhance our growing Learn-to-Ski program, making it easier and more comfortable for beginners to get started. Plus, we're opening up more terrain designed to help first-time skiers gain confidence and smoothly transition to the upper mountain.
Tūroa plans to install a new detachable ropeway to replace the current lower mountain lifts by 2030. This upgrade will boost speed and capacity, greatly improving access. It will also allow people of all ages to experience the upper mountain year-round. With Ohakune growing as a popular summer destination, this new ropeway will complement the increase in visitors, enhancing both winter and summer experiences.
We are investing in innovative new technology that allows us to produce snow at temperatures of up to 20°C. This advancement will enable earlier, guaranteed opening dates for Turoa Ski Resort and extend the season, even in low-snow years.
The Parklane chair lift has recently undergone a major upgrade and is now ready for sightseeing. At the mid feild, we're developing the scenic Wintergarden area to welcome both winter adventurers and summer hikers, offering a year-round destination for breathtaking views and outdoor enjoyment.
Freddie’s eatery has been added to our offerings, and our other three food outlets are set to receive similar enhancements. We're focused on developing unique experiences at each venue, ensuring every spot has its own distinct atmosphere and appeal.