Te Heuheu Summit descent

Riding down the Northern aspect of Mount Ruapehu

Ski Touring Moderate

Distance: 7.7 km
Ascent: 1.1 km
Descent: 1.1 km
Duration: 4-5 hrs

Low Point: 1.6 km
High Point: 2.7 km
Gradient: 34˚

Mount Ruapehu is a mountain with endless opportunities for both winter and spring months. Having a massif summit crater the expanse of slopes underneath are vast and offer numerous different aspects. With two main ski resorts the summit descent off of Te Heuheu is based out of Whakapapa ski field. This route offers just over a thousand meters of fall line skiing back down to the parking lot. While this descent would be amazing in powder it really shines in last spring corn.

Looking out at the climbing route to the summit Photo: Kyle Miller

Arriving on the summit crater Photo: Kyle Miller

Looking down the line which was in the rain shadow Photo: Kyle Miller

Looking back up at the line in sunset alpenglow Photo: Kyle Miller

Description

Leaving from the base of Whakapapa follow the Rock Gardens ski run up until reaching the base of the Pinnacles. Head up past the Valley T bar and keep following the main drainage until the slopes start steepening to the main headwall of the mountain. From here on you are outside of ski resort boundaries.

Skinning up is relatively easy until the final 400 meters. From here on out in my experience it was best to use crampons. If avalanche conditions are of no concern than you can head directly up the gully. If you are questioning stability it is best to go via lookers left ridge. Before long you will arrive on the North ridge of the Summit Plateau.

If going for ski corn this line is prime in the early afternoon being north facing. Riding down the most important thing is to ride back down the gully you came up. Before long you will be back down to the ski resort and following the trails back to the parking lot.

For more pictures and the full story check out this link https://www.whereiskylemiller.com/new-zealand/mount-ruapehu/