Whakapapa and Turoa ski seasons extended following heavy storms

The luxury ski resorts of Whakapapa and Turoa on New Zealand's Mt Ruapehu usually close towards the end of September but heavy snowfall in the region has seen the ski season extended.

BusinessDay.co.nz reports that the area suffered heavy storms last week, with the mountain covered by around a metre of snow in what was one of the worst seasons for snowfall in the last ten years.

The Mt Ruapehu Lift Company now expects Whakapapa to remain open at least until Labour Day, while south-facing Turoa will stay open until early November.

Luxury ski resorts in Queenstown also received around a metre of snow last week and NZSki management decided to extend the ski season at Coronet Peak until October 10th.

For beginners, Whakapapa may be the better resort, with 25 per cent of its terrain suitable for those with little or no skiing experience, while Turoa has more facilities catered to those at an intermediate level.