FAQ

If you want to get into ski racing or freestyle skiing or snowboarding, improve your time and technique through the race course and train with some of the best athletes and coaches in New Zealand, Ruapehu Sport is for you. Ruapehu Sport provides Ski Racing and Freestyle Programmes. We are always keen to welcome new athletes and hope that these  FAQ’s  will provide an overview of what’s involved.


Who is Ruapehu Snow Sports (Club) and Ruapehu Sport?
Ruapehu Sport is a department at Ruapehu that provides training for the athletes and provides the coaches for the season. Ruapehu provide equipment such as Gates, Lifts, Slope preparation and on slope facilities.

Ruapehu Snow Sports is an incorporated society administered by a voluntary committee.  It is a parent body that provides communication, support and fund raising for athletes on any one of the training programmes - alpine, snowboard and freestyle.

Ruapehu Snow Sports also provides the team uniforms and the fully equipped gymnasium facility at National Park. 

Where is the office?
The Ruapehu Sport office is located at the Competitive Centre at the Top of the Bruce at Whakapapa and at the customer service building at Turoa. Delwyn Armstrong (Whakapapa) and Samuel Zander (Turoa) are the Programme Coordinators and can be contacted at:
Whakapapa
Ph: 07 892 3738 ext 7876
Mobile: 0274 711869
Email: comp.whakapapa@mtruapehu.com
Turoa
Ph: 06 385 8456 ext 5628
Mobile: 0274 711887
Email: comp.turoa@mtruapehu.com

What are the entry requirements for Ruapehu Sport Programs?
Athletes must be at least 7 years old and be able to ski anywhere on the mountain in a parallel stance.  Entry into any of the programmes can be up to 18+ years.

What is the Ski Academy?
We offer full time training 5 days all week and holidays or with the primary school 3 days mid week. Please see the programs for more details or contact Ruapehu Sport.
Further information about education is available from:
Terry Hemmingson, National Park School Principal Ph 07 892 2880
Email: principal@nationalpark.schoolzone.net.nz
Bonnie Collins-Bramley, Ohakune Primary School
Email: principal@ohakune.school.nz
Kath Campbell, Ruapehu College Ph 063858398 ext 836
Email:kathcampbell@ruapehucollege.school.nz

Where can I find an outline of the Ruapehu Sport programs?
You can find a detailed overview of the programs. click here.


Whakapapa
Ph: 07 892 3738 ext
Mobile: 0274 711869
Email: comp.whakapapa@mtruapehu.com

Turoa
Ph: 06 385 8456 ext 5628
Mobile: 0274 711887
Email: comp.turoa@mtruapehu.com

Do the athletes need a Season Pass?
Yes.

How do I receive correspondence?
All of our correspondence is done by email, keeping you well informed is a priority and we use email to provided you with up to date information.  Updates are also posted on the Ruapehu Sport website.   On training and race days our coaches, athletes and parents use txt to keep in touch.



What is the Ski Racing New Zealand registration fee for?
SRNZ is the Alpine national body responsible for the conduct of ski racing in New Zealand.  They are affiliated with the Federation Internationale de Ski (FIS) and the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) through Snow Sports NZ, and the New Zealand Ski Council. 

Freeski New Zealand is the national body for freestyle skiing in NZ and their website is www.freeskier.co.nz

All competing athletes are required to register annually and are issued with an individual number which is theirs for as long as they are training and competing. You will have to register online through SRNZ at www.skiracing.org.nz

What is the role of parents?
The active involvement of parents is an integral part of our programmes.  A level of commitment is expected from parents to meet the demands of volunteering.  Parent support is critical, particularly on race/event days. To ensure an equitable sharing among all participating families, parents are rostered on race/event days throughout the season.

What should I bring to training?
A healthy lunch, water, a positive attitude, layers of clothing and a snack in a pocket to keep blood sugar levels up.  Backpacks can be left in the shop on the ground floor of café at Whakapapa for a small cost of $2 (each container holds 3-4 back packs so it is economical to group together). At Turoa athletes' will need to take their bag with them and leave it at the Giant cafe or leave it with parents.


How long does the programme run for?
Training starts at the beginning of the July School Holidays and runs to the end of the September School Holidays; so athletes’ attendance is expected for all 4 weeks of the holidays and every weekend in between.  A reduction in the programme commitment, with a fortnightly programme is made for younger athletes.  The term 3 school program start the first day of term 3.

For older athletes there can be additional training weeks and it is the parents’ responsibility to organize the time off school for their children. 

What is the cost?
Two levels of programme are offered and include all coaching, race entry fees, uniform hire, gymnasium membership and RSS (Club) annual membership.

Have a look at the programmes on the site for more detailed pricing.

These fees include:
•    Coaching fees
•    Ruapehu race/event entry fees
•    Ruapehu Snow Sports (Club) membership subscription
•    Uniform rental

How do I sign up for a race?
Each race is different and your coach will register you for the appropriate race for your level of ability and communicate with athletes and parents.


What if the mountain is closed?
Your coach will txt you and your athlete to advice of a change in training plans if the mountain is closed.  If on-snow training is cancelled dry land training may go ahead at the gymnasium in National Park or at Turoa at the Ruapehu College Gym or other facilities around the township of Ohakune and National Park.

What kind of equipment will I need?
We strongly recommend that you do not buy any skis or snowboards until you have  talked to your coach.  They are experts and will advise you on what is right for your athlete. Athletes require both Slalom and GS skis and your coach will be advise on the correct length; likewise for snowboarding.  In addition it is compulsory for all athletes to wear a helmet.

Does Ruapehu Sport have a code of conduct?
Yes.  All athletes are required to sign a code of conduct which outlines commitment to the programme.

Will I travel away to race?
Only those athletes that are in the performance programmes will travel away from Mt Ruapehu for ski races in the South Island.  You will have plenty of communication in advance about this and Ruapehu Sport organizes transport, accommodation for your athlete.  There are additional costs that will be invoiced.

Finding accommodation
Were to find cost effective accommodation close to the ski field is one of the most frequently asked questions.  Many of the Ski Clubs on Mt Ruapehu have membership available and a list of these is available on www.mtruapehu.com, alternatively Motel accommodation is available at National Park, on www.nationalpark.co.nz. At Turoa it is recommended to either rent a house for the season or join a club.