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Ski New Zealand

Chairlift ski Tongariro

Not that we’re Alpine experts, but we do go to Aspen every year and have experienced our share of chairlifts and ski runs. But never, ever, have we seen a chairlift and a ski run quite like this one. Granted, it’s a bit early in the season, so there’s no snow.   Yet.    ON THE VOLCANO.

Yes, those zany Kiwis ski ON THE SIDE OF A VOLCANO! Look closely at the photo … the ‘rubble’ seen everywhere in the photo is LAVA ROCK! We tried and tried to imagine how this boulder strewn landscape gets groomed into double black diamonds, but we were assured that it does and that it’s quite the popular North Island ski destination.

And, just like Aspen, Vail, Park City, et al, those that can keep a home close to their favorite runs.  Picture, if you will, the lovely mountain lodges nestled in pine trees that dot the slopes of American ski resorts. Then, contrast that image with this one:

mountain chalets Ski Tongariro

These are a hardy people. We couldn’t even find the roads that lead up to these ‘chalets’. One obvious advantage of a mountain home here: no landscape maintenance. A disadvantage: possible annihilation by volcano.

Enjoy these other photos of the wonderfully named Whakapapa Ski Area

Rock garden usually implies something IN ADDITION to the rocks…
Grooming with a steam shovel
Chairlift in the distance…
Yes, this is the main lodge
The ‘no exit’ road to Whakapapa
How irresponsible of the sun to make an appearance
I know it doesn’t look like it, but it will be raining again in moments
Just give it a second…

Written by:
Elaine Haydock
Published on:
April 20, 2013
Thoughts:
3 Comments

Categories: New ZealandTags: New Zealand, Whakapapa

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Linda

    April 20, 2013 at 11:50 am

    I applaud your sense of adventure!

  2. Betsy

    April 20, 2013 at 2:43 pm

    Ouch, you wouldn’t want to fall down on a warmer day with lava rock peeking through the snow…

  3. Alice

    April 20, 2013 at 5:49 pm

    The place looks like an abandoned mess of jumbled rocks with houses randomly askew instead of a ski resort. I can’t believe what I am seeing!

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