View source for Turoa

{{Short description|Ski field in New Zealand}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=July 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2025}}
{{for|people named Turoa|Turoa (name)}}
{{Infobox ski area
| name           = Tūroa Skifield
|logo=
|picture= TuroaView.JPG
| location       = [[Mt. Ruapehu]], Tongariro National Park, New Zealand
| coordinates    = {{coord|-39.30456|175.52731|region:NZ_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| top_elevation  = 2,322m
| base_elevation = 1,623m
| skiable_area   = {{convert|1235|acre|ha}}
| number_trails  = 34 named
| liftsystem     = 8 lifts: 5 [[chairlift|chairs]] (1 Detachable Sixpack, 2 Quads, 2 Triple), 2 [[Platter lift]]s, 1 [[Magic carpet (ski lift)|Magic carpet]]
| website  = {{URL|pureturoa.nz}}
|}}
[[Image:Turoa Base.jpg|thumb|right|Base of Tūroa skifield in winter]]

'''Turoa''' (or '''Tūroa'''{{efn|As of July 2024 Patutokotoko had not agreed to allow the rights of the name Tūroa to be commercialised.<ref name=concession/><ref name=Iwi/>}}) is a [[skiing|skifield]] on the south western side of [[Mount Ruapehu]], the highest mountain in the [[North Island]] of [[New Zealand]], in [[Tongariro National Park]].
The area has been used for skiing since before the completion of the Mountain Road; however, the first commercial field was ready in 1965, but with a poor snow season did not operate.
It was not until 1966 that there was adequate snow to enable operations. The rope tow and supporting buildings were owned and operated by June and John Broadbent from 1966 to 1973. Broadbent was a contractor from Auckland and also helped with the construction of the mountain road. Keen skiers took the 30 minute walk from the road end up to the ski field (Broadbent Flat) where they enjoyed the 1500 foot long rope tow and occasional night skiing.{{citation needed|date=June 2025}}
DOC offered expressions of interest for the operation of a large commercial field and lifts and facilities were opened in 1978. The facilities were owned and operated by [[Ruapehu Alpine Lifts]] from 2000, a company that also owned the nearby [[Whakapapa skifield]], also on Mt. Ruapehu. After liquidation of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts in 2023, the field was purchased by Pure Turoa. The field has been operated by Pure Turoa since April 2024.

== Features ==
There are two beginner areas, and many intermediate and advanced trails. The upper field is a mix of natural pipes, steep drops, fast plains, and easier slopes, along with several terrain parks. The lower field contains the field's single narrow beginner trail, Clarry's Track, and a few other intermediate trails.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.doc.govt.nz/contentassets/a23caa1ba6524e828417848508192e1e/pure-turoa-application-form.pdf|title=Pure Tūroa Limited Tūroa Ski Area, Mt Ruapehu Application for Licence and Lease Proposal Outline and Environmental Impact Assessment. Form 1a :Appendix 1 License and Lease Area Plans|date=8 December 2023|publisher=Department of Conservation (Te Papa Atawhai) |location=Wellington, New Zealand|access-date=19 October 2024|pages=1-13}}</ref> They also serve as access to the base area from the upper mountain, and are often crowded.<ref name=PTL>{{cite web|url=https://www.doc.govt.nz/contentassets/a23caa1ba6524e828417848508192e1e/pure-turoa-application-form.pdf|title=Pure Tūroa Limited Tūroa Ski Area, Mt Ruapehu Application for Licence and Lease Proposal Outline and Environmental Impact Assessment. Form 1a:Appendix 9 Draft Indicative Development Plan|date=8 December 2023|pages=1–32|publisher=Department of Conservation (Te Papa Atawhai) |location=Wellington, New Zealand|access-date=19 October 2024}}</ref>{{rp|25}} The field is {{convert|496|ha|acre|abbr=off}} and has about a {{convert|690|m|ft|abbr=off}} vertical drop from the top chair to the skifield base.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.doc.govt.nz/contentassets/a23caa1ba6524e828417848508192e1e/pure-turoa-application-form.pdf|title=Pure Tūroa Limited Tūroa Ski Area, Mt Ruapehu Application for Licence and Lease Proposal Outline and Environmental Impact Assessment. Form 1a:Appendix 3 Assessment of Landscape and Visual Effects -LA4|date=8 December 2023|publisher=Department of Conservation (Te Papa Atawhai)|location=Wellington, New Zealand|access-date=19 October 2024|pages=1-25|archive-date=5 March 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250305182901/https://www.doc.govt.nz/contentassets/a23caa1ba6524e828417848508192e1e/pure-turoa-application-form.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|5}}

On a good day, it is possible to hike to the top of the mountain with skis or snowboard in hand, view the [[Volcanic crater lake|Crater Lake]], and then ski back down to the field, or to Whakapapa. Also on a clear day [[Mount Taranaki]] can be seen.<!--left in as unreferenced as these are true statements by someone and only the last statement might have a source somewhere --->

== Access ==
The skifield is reached via the Mountain Road from the town of [[Ohakune]]. The Mountain Road was built by locals from Ohakune, mostly during weekends after they formed the Mountain Road Association in 1952.<ref name=PTL/>{{rp|pp=19}}<ref name=MR>{{cite web|url=https://www.ruapehu.info/do/ohakune-mountain-road|title=Ohakune Mountain Road|access-date=20 October 2024}}</ref> Their aim was to open Ruapehu's southern slopes for skiing, partly as a replacement industry for the decline in [[logging]] which had sustained the town for the previous decades.{{cn|date=October 2024}} The now renamed Ministry of Works helped with the road on one occasion by 'misplacing' a [[culvert]] destined for another roading project.{{cn|date=October 2024}} The 17 kilometre road was opened in 1963, reached Turoa by 1967 and became a legal road in 1973.<ref name=MR/> It winds up through spectacular native forest before breaking out above the tree line and finishes at a complex of carparks below the bottom chairlift.<ref name=PTL/>{{rp|pp=19-20}}

== History ==
[[Image:highnoonexpress.jpg|thumb|right|250px|The High Noon Express]]Night skiing for paying customers was trialled in 1986.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dunbar |first=Tim |date=21 August 1986 |title=New Treble Cone event a mouthful |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19860821.2.83 |work=The Press}}</ref>

In 1995, skiers were evacuated from the skifield when a small volcanic eruption occurred at the crater lake, ejecting rocks, ash and steam.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |last2= |last3= |first3= |last4= |last5= |last6= |last7= |last8= |first8= |last9= |date=24 September 1995 |title=Skiers Flee Eruption in New Zealand |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-09-24-mn-49570-story.html |access-date=7 December 2022 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2007, a high speed six-seater [[detachable chairlift|chairlift]], the High Noon Express was installed, replacing an existing [[T-bar lift|T-bar]] to the top of the skifield. The lift had several faults after being installed, such as cable derailments. In winter of 2010, two pylons on the lift collapsed, and the lift was redesigned with 15 new shorter pylons instead of 10 higher pylons in the original design and was open 2011 season. The redesign required relocating an older fixed grip quad chair, the High Flyer, which previously passed under the lift.<ref name=HNE>{{Cite web |last=Donoghue |first=Tim |date=1 March 2011 |title=Turoa's High Noon chairlift gets rebuild |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/4719678/Turoas-High-Noon-chairlift-gets-rebuild |access-date=12 October 2022 |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |language=en |archive-date=12 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221012194159/https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/4719678/Turoas-High-Noon-chairlift-gets-rebuild |url-status=live }}</ref>

There was an accidental diesel spill in 2013 and after this the number of tanks and total storage was reduced.<ref name=PTL/>{{rp|p=26}}

=== Ruapehu Alpine Lifts ===
In 2022 following a poor snow season attributed largely to [[climate change]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morrison |first=Tina |date=12 October 2022 |title=Ruapehu ski field crisis a climate change 'wake-up call' |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/130146363/ruapehu-ski-field-crisis-a-climate-change-wakeup-call |access-date=12 October 2022 |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |language=en |archive-date=12 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221012161046/https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/130146363/ruapehu-ski-field-crisis-a-climate-change-wakeup-call |url-status=live }}</ref> Ruapehu Alpine Lifts, the parent company of both Whakapapa  and Turoa skifields, entered [[voluntary administration]] in an attempt to avoid [[bankruptcy]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=11 October 2022 |title=Troubled Ruapehu skifields operator put into administration, owing millions to govt, iwi and bank |url=https://www.newsroom.co.nz/page/troubled-ruapehu-skifields-operator-put-into-receivership |access-date=12 October 2022 |website=Newsroom |language=en-AU}}</ref>  The company is a not-for-profit business that was established by members of ski clubs in 1953.<ref name=":0" /> In August 2022, Ruapehu Alpine Lifts laid off 130 workers<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 August 2022 |title=Third of staff laid off at major New Zealand ski field as warm winter leaves slopes barren |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/aug/26/mount-ruapehu-ski-resort-new-zealand-warming-climate-hits-snow-season-turoa-whakapapa |access-date=12 October 2022 |website=[[The Guardian]] |language=en}}</ref>  and its total debt climbed to over NZ$30 million. The financial situation of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts deteriorated rapidly following disruptions from the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. Efforts to secure additional funds from investors or the New Zealand government initially failed.<ref name=":0" />

However, in December 2022, the government provided a $6 million loan to Ruapehu Alpine Lifts, to help ensure that both Ruapehu skifields could operate in winter 2023. This was in addition to $15 million provided in 2018 from the Provincial Growth Fund.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 December 2022 |title=Govt gives extra boost to keep Ruapehu skifields running |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/2018870275/govt-gives-extra-boost-to-keep-ruapehu-skifields-running |access-date=7 December 2022 |website=[[RNZ]] |language=en-nz |archive-date=7 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207064608/https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/2018870275/govt-gives-extra-boost-to-keep-ruapehu-skifields-running |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Pure Turoa ===
After the liquidation of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts in 2023, the ski area was purchased by Pure Turoa in March 2024. A ten year Department of Conservation concession was obtained by May 2024,<ref name=concession>{{cite web|first=Tama|last=Potaka|url=https://www.doc.govt.nz/contentassets/ab74f7af8be145029c525806a71c57c2/pure-turoa-limited-decision-letter-redacted.pdf|title=Concession applications in respect of Turoa ski area|date=|access-date=20 October 2024|archive-date=5 March 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250305182901/https://www.doc.govt.nz/contentassets/ab74f7af8be145029c525806a71c57c2/pure-turoa-limited-decision-letter-redacted.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> and the ski area reopened for the 2024 season in June.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 September 2024 |title=Pure Tūroa celebrates 'electric' first season |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/pure-turoa-celebrates-electric-first-season-operating-mt-ruapehu-skifield/57EC56V3TBA6FOXUBGDJAEJK7E/ |access-date=11 September 2024 |website=[[New Zealand Herald]] |language=en-NZ}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=8 April 2024 |title=Green light for Pure Turoa questions remain over Whakapapa's |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018933308/green-light-for-pure-turoa-questions-remain-over-whakapapa-s |access-date=11 September 2024 |website=[[RNZ]] |language=en-nz |archive-date=11 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911204100/https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018933308/green-light-for-pure-turoa-questions-remain-over-whakapapa-s |url-status=live }}</ref>

The concession required that the Nga Wai Heke quad chairlift was removed. The concession granting process was later identified as having flawed engagement with the [[Iwi]]. An outstanding issue is if managed retreat in relation to skifield activities is appropriate.<ref name=Iwi>{{cite news|first=Azaria|last=Howell|url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/government-considering-new-marae-and-cultural-hub-in-ruapehu-following-flawed-engagement-with-iwi/3MKO5FGRYJBYRKJKRMOB76YMDY/|title=Government considering new marae and cultural hub in Ruapehu after 'flawed' engagement with iwi|date=8 July 2024|access-date=20 October 2024|archive-date=22 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240822042229/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/government-considering-new-marae-and-cultural-hub-in-ruapehu-following-flawed-engagement-with-iwi/3MKO5FGRYJBYRKJKRMOB76YMDY/|url-status=live}}</ref>

As of 2023 the Tūroa and Whakapapa Ski Areas on Mount Ruapehu were the only commercial ski areas within the North Island of New Zealand.<ref name=PA>{{cite web|url=https://www.doc.govt.nz/contentassets/a23caa1ba6524e828417848508192e1e/pure-turoa-application-form.pdf|title=Pure Tūroa Limited Tūroa Ski Area, Mt Ruapehu Application for Licence and Lease Proposal Outline and Environmental Impact Assessment. Form 1a :Appendix 2 Cheal Consultants Policy Assessment dated December 2023|date=8 December 2023|publisher=Department of Conservation (Te Papa Atawhai)|location=Wellington, New Zealand|access-date=19 October 2024|pages=1-54|archive-date=5 March 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250305182901/https://www.doc.govt.nz/contentassets/a23caa1ba6524e828417848508192e1e/pure-turoa-application-form.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|11}}

==Lifts==
There are three proposed ski lifts at Turoa, which are due to be complete before 2030. A new Quad express set to be positioned west of the high noon express, to give better access to where the old Jumbo T-Bar used to operate near. The existing Giant fixed grip chairlift is set to be replaced by a new detachable quad express. A gondola is planned to be constructed on Turoa, replacing both the Parklane and Movenpick chairs, starting at the base area and terminating at the location of the top station of the Movenpick chair with a mid station allowing for access to the Wintergarden beginners area.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Louisson |first=Simon |date=3 April 2007 |title=New Zealand: We have lift-off at Turoa |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/new-zealand-we-have-lift-off-at-turoa/PQ662Q6OSWWNJLHS4UJFN25SJY/ |access-date=12 October 2022 |website=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |language=en-NZ}}</ref>
{|-
!width=20% style="background: green; color: white;"|Lift Name
!width=18% style="background: green; color: white;"|Type
!width=10% style="background: green; color: white;"|Ride Time
!width=10% style="background: green; color: white;"|Capacity and Speed
!width=10% style="background: green; color: white;"|Starting Elevation
!width=10% style="background: green; color: white;"|Vertical Rise
|- style="background: #eeeeee; color: black;"
|High Noon Express
| Six seater detachable chairlift
| 6 min
| 3200 people per hour, 5 m/s
| 1924m
| 398m<ref>{{cite news |last1=Louisson |first1=Simon |title=New Zealand: We have lift-off at Turoa |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10431899 |accessdate=31 July 2018 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=2 April 2007 |language=en-NZ |archive-date=31 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731031851/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10431899 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|- style="background: #eeeeee; color: black;"
|Movenpick Chair
| Quad chairlift
| 15 min
| 2000 people per hour, 2 m/s
| 1620m
| 307m
|- style="background: #eeeeee; color: black;"
|Giant Chair
| Triple chairlift
| 12 min
| 1200 people per hour, 2.5 m/s
| 1747m
| 310m
|- style="background: #eeeeee; color: black;"
|Parklane Chair
| Triple chairlift
| 7 min
| 1200 people per hour, 2 m/s
| 1620m
| 136m
|- style="background: #eeeeee; color: black;"
|Alpine Meadow Platter
| Platter lift
| 2 min
| 720 people per hour
| 1600m
| 12m
|- style="background: #eeeeee; color: black;"
|Wintergarden Platter
| Platter lift
| 2 min
| 720 people per hour
| 1760m
| 20m
|- style="background: #eeeeee; color: black;"
|Alpine Meadow Carpet Lift
| Magic Carpet
| 2 min
| 360 people per hour
| 1605m
| 10m
|}
The comfortable capacity of the skifield as of 2023 was 4,800 skiers per day, having been higher in the past and after proposed upgrades will reduce to 4,500 skiers per day.<ref name=PA/>{{rp|15}}

{{clear}}
==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|https://www.pureturoa.nz/}}

{{Tongariro National Park}}
{{Ski areas and resorts in New Zealand}}

[[Category:Ski areas and resorts in New Zealand]]
[[Category:Sports venues in Manawatū-Whanganui]]
[[Category:Tongariro National Park]]