Pricing information for schools & groups
Please note there are two pricing structures as outlined below: Midweek pricing and Weekend/Holiday pricing. Click here to see the 2008 school holiday calendar.
Years 1-8 ratio of adults to students = 1:5
Years 9-13 ratio of adults to students = 1:8
The ratios above are set by Ruapehu Alpine Lifts and have been brought in line with the recommendations set by the Ministry of Education. They are not set as a safety requirement. The ratio applies midweek and weekends on all components (i.e., rentals, lessons and lift passes).
| Packages | Midweek outside holidays - Students & adults inside ratio |
Weekends & holidays - Students & adults inside ratio |
At all times - Extra adults outside ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discover Ski | $38 | $60 | $85 |
| Discover Snowboard* | $44 | $65 | $90 |
| Next Step Ski | $44 | $70 | $100 |
| Next Step Snowboard* | $50 | $75 | $105 |
| Explorer Ski*** | $50 | N/A | N/A |
| Explorer Snowboard* *** | $56 | N/A | N/A |
| Lift pass only | |||
| All Mountain Pass | $22 | $38 | $83 |
| Lower Mountain Pass | $16 | $29 | $63 |
| Sightseeing Pass | $5 | $9 | $21 |
| Rental equipment only | |||
| Skis/Boots/Poles | $15 | $22 | $37 |
| Snowboard/Boots | $20 | $29 | $45 |
| Wristguards | $10 non return fee | $10 non return fee | $10 non return fee |
| Jacket | $11 | $11 | $16 |
| Pants | $11 | $11 | $16 |
| Helmet | $5 | $5 | $10 |
| Sled | $10 | $10 | $10 |
| Sliding mat | $5 | $5 | $5 |
| Lessons only | |||
| Group lesson - Discover or Next Step | $17 | $28 | $39/$49** |
| Explorer lesson*** | $22 | N/A | N/A |
* Rental of wristguards is strongly recommended with all snowboard rental. These are provided free of charge to school groups but a $10 fee is charged for each pair of wristguards not returned.
** Adults outside the ratio who are having lessons should indicate whether they are Levels 1-3 ($35) or Levels 4-6 ($45). Click here to see explanation of levels.
*** Only students are eligible for Explorer lessons/packages and a minimum of 4 people are required. Explorer Packages are not available during weekends or school holidays.
No discounts are available on Discover or Next Step Packages during weekends or school holidays.
Lessons
Ski lessons contain a maximum of 15 people whereas snowboard lessons cater for a maximum of 8 people. Lessons are pre-allocated for each group:
- At Whakapapa time slots start daily at 9.00am. Lessons begin every half hour and large groups will be split into rolling time slots. For example, a group of 60 beginner skiers will take their lessons at 9.30, 10.00, 10.30 and 11.00am with 15 people in each group.
- At Turoa lessons begin at 10.00am and 12.00pm. If you have particular lesson time requirements, please state this when you make your booking and we will do our best to cater to these. Morning lessons will be allocated to absolute beginners first. It is sometimes not possible for large groups to take their lessons at the same time because of the availability of snow school instructors.
You must ensure that your group is on the mountain 1 hour prior to your first allocated lesson time. Due to the huge demand for lessons we cannot transfer groups at short notice. Therefore, groups who miss their check-in time will automatically have their lessons cancelled.
The Discover Package includes beginner lessons only. The Next Step Package includes advanced beginner lessons only. The Explorer Package includes intermediate lessons only. Please discuss all other lesson requirements with your Mt Ruapehu group co-ordinator.
Please try to determine the levels of those requiring lessons before sending in your booking form. Click here to see explanation of levels.
