Everything you need to know about ski hire in Ohakune
A trip to Ohakune in the winter is not complete without hitting the slopes for some fun in the snow at Mt Ruapehu! This mammoth mountain is home to New Zealand’s two largest ski areas: Turoa and Whakapapa, which are both a part of the World Heritage Tongariro National Mountain Area. The latest feature in this spectacularly rugged landscape is the Sky Waka, which travels 1.8 kilometres up the mountain area, which is the ultimate way to start your ski holiday!
To make the winter holiday planning easy, there are multiple options for ski hire in Ohakune. Whether it’s skiing, snowboarding, sledding or other snow accessories you are after, Ohakune offers multiple hire options for visitors. We’ve put together the five best spots to hire everything you need before hitting the slopes! To view our various Ohakune Baches click here!
See our top 5 spots to hire everything you need before hitting the slopes…
1. SLR @ Vertigo Adventure Centre
Hiring your gear from SLR @ Vertigo Adventure Centre is a great option for hiring quality gear at a reasonable price. The store is staffed with internationally trained technicians and turning specialists who service their gear after every rental period. As your gear is getting prepped for you to have the ultimate runs up on the mountain, you can also take advantage of their vertigo climbing centre right next door, which offers a one-hour climbing challenge suitable for nearly all ages and ability levels.
2. The Ski Shed
The best part about The Ski Shed is that you can hire your gear online before arriving. Equipped with a virtual tour of the store to allow you to pre-select the items you want to hire, The Ski Shed is the best option to rent from if you want to minimise your time in the ski shop and maximise your time on the slopes. Around for nearly the last 50 years, this locally owned ski hire shop also offers Mt Ruapehu ski pass holders a generous discount for their loyalty, along with long opening hours in the winter so you don’t have to rush to return your gear.
3. TCB Ski Board Bike
This one-stop-shop for skis, boards, bikes, clothing and accessories is one of the premium shops to sort your rental equipment. One of the most unique points of difference at TCB Ski Board Bike is their boot lab, which uses the most up to date technology and foot analysis to customise boot rentals and guarantee you have the most comfortable boot hire for either your skis or snowboard! Their workshop is also kitted out with Montana, a computer-controlled machine that allows them to enhance your rental gear and provide you with the ultimate precision when you are speeding down the slopes. In addition, TCB Ski Board Bike offers seasonal rental discounts and ski tours for those who want to explore the slopes even further.
4. Ski Biz
Ski Biz is one of the friendliest Ohakune ski shops in the whole region. Located at the Alpine Centre in between Ohakune and Mt Ruapehu, Ski Biz’s owner got his humble beginnings cleaning ski boots. Always offering affordable hire plans and remembering every customer’s name, this is a great hire shop to get a variety of gear that is needed for a day on the mountains. They also offer free day parking and shuttle buses, creating next-level customer service!
5. Mt Ruapehu Rentals
Certainly, the easiest rental option is hiring your gear from Mt Ruapehu Rentals, but it does come at a bit of an extra price. With locations both in Ohakune and on top of Mt Ruapehu, you can sort your gear out all in one go and minimise time spent lugging it all around. They offer outerwear, helmets, skis and boards, along with mountain passes and lessons packages all in one place. The best part of utilising Mt Ruapehu Rental’s location on top of the mountain is that you can easily exchange your gear after a few runs if it’s not feeling quite right. They also offer rewards to patrons who rent gear for a longer duration, with rates automatically becoming cheaper, with the option of hiring for the whole ski season if you wish! And, if you get tired of the skis, you can swap them in for some sleds for a cruiser run down the mountain.
Whether you are looking for a bargain or a hassle-free rental process, you’ll have multiple options in Ohakune to get kitted up for an epic day on the slopes. Are you excited for your next ski holiday in Ohakune? Check out our Ohakune holiday homes or our unique NZ yurt experiences and start planning your next big snow-filled adventure!