Around the Mountain Circuit, Mt Taranaki, South Taranaki
If skiing on a volcano is your thing, there are options in New Zealand to do that. The smallest, furthest flung and most volatile (just in terms of weather) would be Manganui Skifield on the eastern slopes of Mount Taranaki. This is old style kiwi skiing, the facilities are as authentic as that cone shaped volcano.
The 33 bed lodge is at 1260m, but the area is accessible for daytrippers too, as long as they walk half an hour from the carpark, with a goods lift available from halfway. Their small beginner/intermediate area is served by 3 rope tows and one T bar, and complemented by the concept that advanced skiiers can go anywhere they choose as long as they walk.
Snow doesn't always last all season here, the weather can melt or blow it away but there is usually a decent stretch sometime between June and October. Every now and then there is a great season https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrgsEg4n7pU
The Monster Gully is a valley beside the ski area which is to be avoided for it's propensity to provide monster avalanches, when the threat gets high, the area is sometimes closed. Underneath the snow is the reason for the danger, a deep gully in the side of the mountain thanks to erosion of the variety in the size of volcanic rocks that make up Taranaki. Though you have to walk through here to get to the ski area, the general advice is do not linger, it is classified as a geohazard.
NZPlaces would like a few images of this great, gritty, club facility, please send some in. . .
Nearby this Place
Featured Nearby
Featured Nearby