'Incredibly difficult': Ski crowds clog Mt Ruapehu road, shuttles suffer
Thousands of eager slope enthusiasts are clogging the road to Mt Ruapehu’s Whakapapa ski field, with one transport operator saying recent congestion is among the worst it has encountered.
Ruapehu Scenic Shuttles said backed-up traffic on State Highway 48 meant trips that would normally take only a short time were stretched to more than an hour.
In a Facebook post after “another busy weekend”, the company said a run of “incredible bluebird days” had led to large crowds flocking to the mountain, including many seeing snow for the first time.
“The problem starts when they arrive and discover the road is closed to vehicles without traction devices, or the upper car parks are already full,” it wrote.
Those who had “planned ahead” by booking a shuttle or arriving prepared often found themselves stuck in the same traffic queue “with no way to reach the ski area”.
The company said the congestion affected private vehicles and commercial operators alike, with shuttle services caught in the same queues as motorists heading up the mountain.
Visitors who had not planned ahead often waited in Whakapapa Village hoping the road would reopen, while others drove back towards Waimarino in search of last-minute shuttle bookings.
By then, the company’s “carefully planned” schedules had “disappeared out the window”.
“We spend more time sitting in traffic than transporting people, while fielding constant phone calls from people wanting a cheaper option or demanding a shuttle ‘right now’ instead of waiting for the next available departure.
“For smaller operators like us, this is incredibly difficult.
“Our capacity isn’t limited by how many people we can take up the mountain – it’s limited by how many seats we must have available to bring people safely back down later in the day.”
Traffic backs up along State Highway 48 as thousands of visitors head to Mt Ruapehu's Whakapapa Ski Area. Photo / Ruapehu Scenic Shuttles
According to the company, one group that had been unable to reach the ski field on Saturday boarded an almost-empty 1pm shuttle travelling uphill to collect pre-booked passengers.
Heavy traffic delayed the journey by about 30 minutes but the group still expected the company’s scheduled 4pm return to be pushed back.
“The reality is they hadn’t planned ahead – they simply turned up hoping for the best.”
Ruapehu Scenic Shuttles said the current season was shaping up to be among the busiest it had experienced.
It said the congestion was tough on drivers and vehicles while making it “increasingly difficult to provide the reliable and flexible service we pride ourselves on”.
Visitors were urged to book early, arrive prepared and expect delays if travelling during the late morning hours.
“Planning ahead won’t solve the traffic – but it will make your day on the mountain a whole lot less stressful.”
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