It is home to an expansive beginners' area, Happy Valley, which has its own cafe, rental complex and ski-school meeting area - it's also away from the faster skiers and snowboarders. However, it also caters for intermediate and more professional riders, too.
I was given a Discover Ultimate Package pass, which included a beginners' area lift pass, a full-day hire of boots, skis and poles or a snowboard, a 110-minute group snowboarding/ski lesson and a chairlift sightseeing ride.
All dressed for the snow and deciding I was more of a snowboarder than a skier, I headed to the ski field with my group - three adults and two children.
We hired a toboggan for the kids but, unfortunately, these children, aged 2 and 3, were not keen on the snow and preferred chairlift rides.
Having unhappy children on the trip also meant we missed our snowboarding lesson but - once the little ones were happy - the adults could enjoy themselves.
A good time is what you make of it and, being in such a beautiful place, you love every moment of it.
Despite not having a lesson, my group decided we would cope without it and had a great time sliding along the slopes at great speed, believing we were riding like professionals, having a good laugh at our own expense and meeting plenty of others at ability levels similar to our own.
I can confidently say I will be back on the slopes as soon as possible but, next time, it'll probably be an adults-only trip.
I plan to make my trip to the snow an annual tradition and I can now see why skiing/snowboarding is so popular - I don't know why I haven't tried it ooner.
If you haven't been to the Mt Ruapehu ski fields yet, I would recommend a visit to one - or all of them.
For more about Whakapapa, passes, rentals, ski reports, retail, lessons and packages, visit www.mtruapehu.com/winter/whakapapa
Top tips
* Pack a lunch. Lines at the food outlets on Whakapapa can be packed - having goodies will prevent hunger/thirst tantrums.
* Pack plenty of warm clothing. If you don't have snow clothing for children, you can hire good-quality clothing at Whakapapa. However, make sure you have plenty of changes for the kids just in case clothes get wet or dirty.
* Hire a toboggan from Whakapapa. Hours of entertainment - for just $20.
* Put your toddler in nappies. Even though they may be toilet-trained, nappies will prevent any messy accidents and provide an extra layer of padding if they take a tumble.
* Pack baby wipes. In the cold, runny noses can be a bit of an issue.
* Make sure the children are well-rested. There is nothing worse than arriving at the ski field with tired, grizzly kids.
