Turoa
Ohakune · Manawatu-Whanganui · New Zealand
722m
Vertical Drop
30
Runs
9
Lifts
500 ha
Skiable Area
280 cm
Avg Snowfall
Jun 2026 – Oct 2026
Season
About
Sister resort to Whakapapa on the southern slopes of Mount Ruapehu, with New Zealand's longest single-lift vertical drop at 722m. Turoa runs deep into October most years and has the highest summit-accessible terrain in NZ. Operated by Ruapehu Alpine Lifts and shares a season pass with Whakapapa. Ohakune — a vibrant little ski town — is the gateway and the main hub for staff and après life.
Terrain & Mountain Profile
Run Breakdown
Summit
2,322m
Base
1,600m
Vertical Drop
722m
Lift Breakdown
0
Gondolas
4
Chairlifts
5
Surface Lifts
Employment & Recruitment
Estimated Seasonal Staff
300–450
Main Employers
- Ruapehu Alpine Lifts
- Turoa Snow Sports School
- On-mountain F&B (RAL)
- Powderhorn Chateau (Ohakune)
- Ruapehu Country Lodge
- Ohakune hospitality (pubs, restaurants, lodges)
Common Seasonal Jobs
Languages Required
- Visa Requirements
- Working Holiday Visa is the standard route — NZ has agreements with 45+ countries. RAL sponsors Essential Skills Work Visas for senior instructors and specialised roles. Most under-30 international hires arrive on a WHV.
- Recruitment Timeline
- RAL opens applications in February–April for the late-June Turoa opening. Instructor positions require NZSIA / NZSSA / equivalent certification. Lift, F&B, and rental hiring through April–June.
Worker Amenities & Living
Staff Housing Available
- Cost of Living
- NZD $350–$500 (Ohakune is one of the cheapest NZ ski towns)
- Public Transport
- Intercity buses serve Ohakune. RAL runs staff shuttles from Ohakune to Turoa during the season. Many staff have cars or carpool. The Ohakune Mountain Road requires chains in winter conditions.
Staff Perks
- Free season pass valid at Turoa and sister mountain Whakapapa
- Staff meals on-mountain
- Pro deals on gear and apparel
- Long season — late-July to mid-October prime conditions
- Staff social events
Local Life & Community
- Après & Nightlife
- Ohakune punches well above its weight. The Powderkeg (in the Powderhorn) is the iconic Ruapehu après bar, packed with staff and guests every winter night. Utopia, the Bearing Point, and the Big Carrot are also popular. Ohakune has a strong seasonal-worker culture for a town its size.
- Healthcare
- Ohakune Health Centre for GP services. Whanganui Hospital (1.5 hrs) and Palmerston North Hospital (2 hrs) for emergency care. Helicopter retrieval available. Volcanic activity on Ruapehu is monitored continuously.
- Shops & Services
- Ohakune has Four Square supermarket, gear shops (Snow Centre, TCB), pharmacies, restaurants, cafés, and a small but lively main street. Taupo (2 hrs north) for larger shopping needs.
- International Community
- Medium — friendly mid-sized staff scene. Strong domestic NZ presence with international hires from the UK, Argentina, Brazil, and Japan. Smaller community than Queenstown but very tight-knit. English is the working language.
Outdoor Activities (Non-Ski)
Open Positions
No jobs posted yet for this resort. Check back soon or sign up for alerts.
Browse all jobs at Turoa →Season
Jun 2026 – Oct 2026
Climate & Snow
- Winter Temps
- -4°C to 3°C
- Snow Reliability
- medium
- Snowmaking
- 5% of runs
- Avg Snowfall
- 280 cm/yr
Location
-39.3000°S, 175.5100°E
Nearest town: Ohakune