Snow dump on Taupo's lakefront celebrates start of winter

Snow is on it's way to Taupo Lakefront. Photo/Supplied

Taupo's lakefront can expect a dumping of snow this month - all in the name of good fun.

Mt Ruapehu's Happy Valley is going on tour, bringing snow and fun to Taupo's lakefront.

Reminiscent of a day on Mt Ruapehu ski fields the event will offer an authentic winter snow experience, with a snow-covered tobogganing area and a big snow dig for kids.

Mt Ruapehu's mountain staff will be among the snow to answer questions about the new developments at Mt Ruapehu for the upcoming winter season and beyond.

'Happy Valley on Tour' is being held on Saturday May 27, the weekend prior to Happy Valley opening, to build excitement and anticipation around the ski season ahead.

Happy Valley will be the first ski area in Australasia to open debuting its new snow factory to the first guests of the season.

The state-of-the-art snowmaking system is already in full swing and can make snow in temperatures up to 25C making the ski season even longer.

The transformation at Happy Valley is nearly complete with three new carpet lifts - two will be covered by see-through gallery tunnels - and all new access elevators which will replace the old Happy Valley access chairlift.

These are expected to be up and running in July.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts chief executive Ross Copland said in a statement they were excited to give locals and visitors their first touch of snow from the snow factory, and to mark the start of winter with this event.

"The Happy Valley on Tour event, the opening of our new "SnowHQ" info, rental and ticketing office located in central Taupo, and our new daily bus service from Taupo to the mountain will all help cement Taupo as a full-service winter resort town."

Mr Copland said Ruapehu Alpine Lifts had invested heavily in Taupo this year as a result of the strong leadership and action from Taupo District Council, Destination Great Lake Taupo and Towncentre Taupo who were actively working to promote the destination as a winter ski resort and ensure the town was ready to deliver an outstanding experience for guests.

Prizes are up for grabs at the event in the kids' big snow dig, including Happy Valley passes. Destination Great Lake Taupo and Ruapehu Alpine Lifts are encouraging families, snow sports enthusiasts, and those who have never touched snow before to join them and embrace the fun that winter brings to the region.

The event will run from 11am - 3pm on May 27 on the Colonel Roberts Reserve on Taupo's lakefront.