Ohakune Accommodation for Turoa Skiers — Skip the Commission

Ohakune — Gateway to Turoa Ski Area

Ohakune is the main base town for the Turoa side of Mt Ruapehu, and it's the closest thing to a genuine ski town on New Zealand's North Island. Known affectionately as the "carrot capital" of New Zealand (yes, there's a giant carrot statue), Ohakune has a split personality — quiet farming town in summer, buzzing ski village in winter.

The town sits at 600 metres elevation, about 20 minutes' drive from the Turoa ski area base at 1,600m. The access road climbs through native bush and volcanic terrain, and the drive itself is one of the better commutes in New Zealand skiing.

Turoa Ski Area

Turoa occupies the south-western face of Mt Ruapehu, giving it excellent snow retention and a long season. With 500 hectares of terrain and New Zealand's longest vertical descent (722m), it's a serious ski area that often gets overlooked in favour of the South Island resorts.

The High Noon Express quad chair accesses the best intermediate terrain, while the upper mountain via the Giant chairlift opens up advanced runs with spectacular volcanic scenery. On a clear day, you can see Taranaki (Egmont) to the west and the Kaimanawa ranges to the east.

Turoa's south-facing aspect means it catches and holds snow well, and the season often extends into late October — weeks after many other NZ fields have closed.

Where to Stay in Ohakune

• The Junction: The upper part of town, where the mountain road begins. Most of the ski-focused accommodation, restaurants, and bars cluster here. Hotels and lodges from $100-$280/night in peak season.
• Ohakune town: The main township, 2km from the Junction. More affordable motels and holiday parks. A few good restaurants and the famous Bearing Point bar.
• Holiday homes: Ohakune has an excellent selection of private holiday homes and chalets available for short-term rent. Many sleep 6-10 and offer great value for groups. $150-$400/night for a whole house.
• Lodge clubs: Several ski clubs operate lodges in Ohakune with member rates and limited public availability. If you can get a spot, they're often the best value in town.

Skip the Platform Commission

Ohakune accommodation in peak season is popular with families from Auckland, Wellington, and Hamilton — and increasingly with Australian visitors. Many book through OTA platforms, which charge properties 15-25% commission. That commission gets built into the rate you see.

EezyStay's membership model is simple: pay $79/year, see the wholesale rate on every hotel. No OTA commission, no markup, no games. The rate you see is what the travel trade pays.

On a family trip to Ohakune — 5 nights, school holidays, two rooms or a holiday home — the wholesale saving can easily pay for your annual membership and leave change for an extra day on the mountain.

Plus, your EezyStay membership covers 2 million+ hotels worldwide. Use it for Ohakune this trip, Queenstown next trip, and everywhere else in between.

Book Ohakune at the real price. Join EezyStay for $79/year →

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Ohakune from Auckland?

About 4.5 hours by car (340km) via State Highway 1 and the Desert Road. It's a straightforward drive through some of New Zealand's most dramatic landscape, especially the volcanic plateau section.

Is Ohakune or National Park Village better for skiing?

Ohakune for Turoa; National Park Village for Whakapapa. They're on opposite sides of Mt Ruapehu. If you want the better town atmosphere with more restaurants and nightlife, Ohakune wins. If you want to be closer to Whakapapa's ski area, choose National Park.

Can I ski both Turoa and Whakapapa from Ohakune?

You can, but Whakapapa is about 45 minutes from Ohakune by car (compared to 20 minutes to Turoa). Most visitors base themselves on one side and do a day trip to the other. A combined pass covers both areas.