Happy Valley at Whakapapa has long been one of the best places in New Zealand to learn to ski
Set in its own sheltered valley below the main ski area at Whakapapa Ski Field on Mt Ruapehu, Happy Valley feels separate from the wider mountain – accessed by its own elevator. The slopes are very gentle and ideal for learning, the area is easy to understand, and beginners can concentrate without faster skiers passing through.
Happy Valley also offers some protection from the weather. Like all mountains, Mt Ruapehu can experience changeable conditions, but the geography of the valley provides shelter from the wind and gives families a more comfortable place to spend their first day on the snow. On a sunny day, it can also become a wonderful sun trap.
Everything you need is close by, including ski and snowboard lessons, rental equipment, food, toilets and the beginner slopes
With Happy Valley separate from the main ski field, there is no worry about connecting lifts, faster skiers or large crowds. It allows you to enjoy a magical first-time skiing experience in your own special place – and trust us, that makes a big difference.
Our daughter learnt to ski at Happy Valley, so it will always be a special place for our family. Its gentle slopes make it an ideal place for children and adults to learn, practise and gradually build confidence. Family and friends can stay nearby to watch progress or ski and snowboard alongside them, making it an experience everyone can share.
The carpet lifts also make learning easier. Beginners can step onto the carpet and ride back up the slope without needing to master a chairlift. When they feel confident enough, the Double Happy chair is there as well.
Happy Valley is no longer only about skiing and snowboarding. The Snowland area gives families another reason to visit, particularly when not everyone wants to ski
Sledding, playing in the snow and building a snowman are all available nearby. It means one child can be having a ski lesson while another enjoys the Snowland play area, without the family needing to split up across the mountain.
For many North Island families, including ours, Happy Valley is their first real experience of snow. It is accessible, relatively sheltered and designed for people who are still finding their feet.
There are bigger slopes and longer trails elsewhere on Whakapapa, but that is not what makes Happy Valley special.
Its strength is that it gives beginners and families a manageable place to start – and often provides the first step towards a lifetime of skiing.
