Whakapapa Ski Area's Happy Valley will be open on Saturday 3 June. That’s the promise from Ruapehu Alpine Lifts for this year, after the redevelopment of the beginner ski area that includes new access, three new lifts and an innovative new snowmaking ‘factory’.

The Ruapehu Express on Saturday 25 February was "a ripper" according to the 1000-plus people who took part. Most took on the 58km mountain bike ride from Tukino Ski Area access road to Ohakune, with others riding a 25km shorter course. Around 200 ran either 22km or 16km from Horopito on the Ohakune Old Coach Road to Ohakune Junction.