Manganui Ski Area Ski Resort Overview

Manganui Ski Area is one of the most unique places to ski or ride in New Zealand. Sitting high on the slopes of Mount Taranaki, this club field feels wild, dramatic, and deeply connected to its landscape.

Manganui runs on natural snowfall, rope tows, and commitment. When it’s open and holding snow, it delivers an experience you won’t find anywhere else in the country.

A ski field shaped by the mountain

Manganui’s terrain stretches from 1260 to 1680 metres, offering around 420 metres of vertical on the upper flanks of a near perfect volcanic cone. The skiing here feels different. Steeper, more exposed, and shaped by wind and weather rather than grooming machines.

There’s a small beginner and intermediate area, but the heart of Manganui lies in its off piste terrain. Advanced skiers and snowboarders are rewarded with long, natural runs, soft snow pockets, and terrain that changes day to day.

Snowboarding stands out here. Natural half pipes form when conditions align, and terrain park features are set up off the T bar when snow allows.

Rope tows, a T bar, and earned laps

Manganui operates three rope tows and a single T bar. There are no chairlifts, no snowmaking, and no shortcuts. You need to be comfortable riding rope tows and reading the mountain.

Once you’re dialled in, the laps are surprisingly satisfying. Runs are long by club field standards, with kilometre length descents that feel bigger than the skiable area suggests.

Access is part of the experience

Getting to Manganui is memorable in itself.

From the Plateau car park, it’s a 25 to 30 minute walk to the ski area. The route crosses the Manganui Gorge Suspension Bridge, opened in 2024, soaring high above the gorge with striking Ngāti Ruanui designs built into the structure.

It’s a family friendly walk when conditions allow and part of the wider Taranaki Crossing. There’s even a flying fox lift to carry your skis or board across the gorge so you can focus on the walk.

This approach filters the crowd. The people who make it here usually want exactly what Manganui offers.

A true club field lodge

The Manganui Lodge sits on the mountain and sleeps just over 30 people. Accommodation is simple, warm, and social. This is self catering, shared meals, drying gear by the fire, and swapping stories after the weather rolls through.

There’s no luxury and no distractions. Just people who love the mountain and are happy to work around it.

Conditions come and go

Manganui relies entirely on natural snowfall, and that honesty matters. Some seasons are incredible. Others are short or interrupted. Temporary closures due to snow loss are part of the deal.

If you’re planning a trip, checking conditions before you go is essential. Flexibility is rewarded here.

A place that feels special

There’s something about skiing on Taranaki Maunga that stays with you. The isolation, the symmetry of the mountain, the sudden weather changes, and the sense that you’re a guest rather than a consumer.

Manganui doesn’t try to compete with big South Island fields. It doesn’t need to.

Final thoughts

Manganui Ski Area is raw, beautiful, and uncompromising. It’s for skiers and snowboarders who value experience over convenience and who understand that the best days aren’t always guaranteed.

When the snow arrives and the field is open, Manganui offers one of the most memorable club field ski experiences in New Zealand.

This is skiing on a mountain that decides the terms.