Mount Ruapehu Snow Report and Forecast
Snow Forecast for Mount Ruapehu
When will there be fresh snow?
This is the Snow Forecast for Mount Ruapehu, New Zealand for 16 days from 5 July.
Updated 06 July 2025 02:30 AEST.
| Next Snow Expected | 13 July |
|---|---|
| Next Snow Amount | 3cm |
| Next 48 Hours | - |
| Next 7 Days | 3cm |
For Forecast detail, see below.
For current snow depths and skiing conditions, see our Current Snow Report for Mount Ruapehu.
Forecast for today in Mount Ruapehu
Max 8℃
Min 2℃
Valley temperatures from an overnight low of 2℃ to daytime highs around 8℃
Freeze-thaw (spring snow) conditions up high.
Temperature at BaseTemp at Base
Sat
05
Snow unlikely
Light rain, clear spells, clear sky later.
Mount Ruapehu has no new snow forecast in the next 48 hours.
Mount Ruapehu Snow Report
Snow report from Whakapapa (near Mount Ruapehu)
| Upper Snow Depths | 9cm |
|---|---|
| Lower Snow Depths | 18cm |
| Snow Conditions | Ski Area Open |
Ski area reported to be open, with 1 lifts running.
Mount Ruapehu 7-Day Snow Forecast Overview
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| Sat 05 | Sun 06 | Mon 07 | Tue 08 | Wed 09 | Thu 10 | Fri 11 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wind | NE F3 | S F4 | |||||
| 2,300m | 3℃
 | 3℃
| 0℃
| 1℃
 | 1℃
 +2cm
| 3℃
 | 3℃
 |
| SE F2 | SE F3 | SW F4 | |||||
| 1,963m | 5℃
| 4℃
| 4℃
| 5℃
| 7℃
| 8℃
| 8℃
|
| SE F2 | SE F3 | SW F4 | |||||
| 1,625m | 8℃
| 6℃
| 6℃
| 7℃
| 9℃
| 10℃
| 10℃
|
| Snow Line | 2,299m | varying 2,259m | |||||
| Max Town | 8℃ | 6℃ | 6℃ | 7℃ | 9℃ | 10℃ | 10℃ |
| Min Town | 2℃ | -3℃ | -2℃ | -1℃ | 4℃ | 8℃ | 5℃ |
This table shows the average forecast snowfall, the maximum temperature, and expected general weather at resort, lower and upper mountain levels. For daily forecast details, see below.
Mount Ruapehu Medium-Range (7-Day) Snow Forecast Detail
Note :- Mountain weather is extremely dynamic; the forecast below will change. Any forecast snow may move forward or back in the forecast, and predicted snowfall depths will be revised in subsequent updates.
Max 8℃
Min 2℃
Valley temperatures from an overnight low of 2℃ to daytime highs around 8℃
Freeze-thaw (spring snow) conditions up high.
Temperature at BaseTemp at Base
Sat
05
Snow unlikely
Light rain, clear spells, clear sky later.
Max 6℃
Min -3℃
Freeze-thaw (spring snow) conditions, with valley temperatures cooling to -3℃ and rising to 6℃
Temperature at BaseTemp at Base
Sun
06
Snow unlikely
Fair first, clear sky then fair, cloudy later.
Max 6℃
Min -2℃
Freeze-thaw (spring snow) conditions, with valley temperatures cooling to -2℃ and rising to 6℃
Temperature at BaseTemp at Base
Mon
07
Snow unlikely
Cloudy, fair, clear sky later.
Max 7℃
Min -1℃
Valley temperatures from an overnight low of -1℃ to daytime highs around 7℃
Freeze-thaw (spring snow) from mid-mountain up.
Temperature at BaseTemp at Base
Snowfall per hour
Snow Line
Tue
08
Snow unlikely
Clear spells first, fair then cloudy, light rain later.
Max 9℃
Min 4℃
Valley temperatures from an overnight low of 4℃ to daytime highs around 9℃
Freeze-thaw (spring snow) conditions up high.
Temperature at BaseTemp at Base
Snowfall per hour
Snow Line
Wed
09
up to 2cm New Snow
Rain showers, light rain, cloudy later.
Snow Line from 2,259m to 1,849m, with rain below.
Max 10℃
Min 8℃
Valley temperatures from an overnight low of 8℃ to daytime highs around 10℃
Temperature at BaseTemp at Base
Thu
10
Snow unlikely
Cloudy.
Max 10℃
Min 5℃
Valley temperatures from an overnight low of 5℃ to daytime highs around 10℃
Temperature at BaseTemp at Base
Fri
11
Snow unlikely
Light rain, rain, cloudy later.
This Snow Forecast for Mount Ruapehu, New Zealand gives the predicted Snowfall and Freezing Levels for the next week.
The forecast snowfall depths given are the likely average accumulations for the Lower and Upper slopes. The actual snow depth in Mount Ruapehu, on any given trail or itinerary, may be dramatically different, particularly if the snowfall is accompanied by high winds and/or varying air temperatures.
Snow Forecasts beyond two days ahead are subject to significant change and variable reliability.
Mount Ruapehu Snow Forecast updated at 02:30 AEST, next update expected imminently.
Snow Forecast near Mount Ruapehu
| Snow Report and Forecast | 48 Hr | Sat | Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | 7 Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whakapapa | - | 7cm |
Understanding and predicting Snow Conditions in Mount Ruapehu
Here are our tips for making the most of a trip to Mount Ruapehu, with the help of the J2Ski Snow forecasts and reports. You can find some great skiing in Mount Ruapehu, but like any mountain, snow conditions change throughout the season, from day to day, and even from hour to hour.
Whether you’re sticking to the marked pistes or venturing off-piste, here’s what you need to know:
Pistes (Groomers) or Off-Piste
These can be a world apart, regarding snow conditions, even ignoring the difference between the natural terrain features to be found off-piste and the generally controlled surfaces and slopes of a pisted (groomed) run.
- Piste Conditions can range from fresh powder to firm, icy surfaces, particularly after warm spells or a busy day on the mountain with the passage of many skiers.
- Off-Piste Conditions are far more variable. Wind and sun can quickly transform fresh snow into wind crust or slushy layers, whilst cold weather can preserve stashes of powder many days after a snowfall.
WARNING - skiing off-piste (out-of-bounds) at Mount Ruapehu is uncontrolled and un-marked slopes are not made safe (from avalanche risk) or patrolled. Always check local advice, know the Avalanche Risk Level, ski with safety kit (and know how to use it), and never ski alone.
Analyzing Weather and Snowfall Forecasts
Whilst no forecast can tell you exactly how snow conditions in Mount Ruapehu will develop, checking the forecast regularly should give you an idea of what to expect.
New snowfall can bring fresh powder and refresh the surfaces of pisted runs. Powder can be tracked out quickly at busy times, but in less crowded and shaded areas, fresh snow can linger for days.
Changes in weather conditions, such as milder temperatures, rain or wind, can degrade snow quality. Conversely, cold, stable weather can preserve conditions for extended periods.
Predicting Future Snow Quality
Regularly check our snow and weather forecasts for Mount Ruapehu for changes that may affect snow quality. Forecast snowfall depth and recent snowfall are good indicators of what to expect.
Use historical data and recent snow reports to understand past snow conditions and anticipate future changes.