Place to see: Whakapapa, National Park, New Zealand

About this place:

Whakapapa is the larger and busier of two ski fields on active volcano Mount Ruapehu. It faces northwest, with great views of nearby Mount Ngauruhoe and Mount Tongariro. While Whakapapa is closer to Auckland than sister ski field Turoa, weather conditions often favor one or the other. The snow is hard packed for most of the season, but softens up to a fun, buttery slush in late spring.