Snowmen, snowball fights and skiing: Children won't forget their first experience of playing in fresh snow, writes Liam Dann.

This inviting hotel, with a cosy alpine lodge feel, is the perfect place to retire to after a busy day exploring the Ruapehu District.

For further information see: powderhorn.co.nz.

Tristram Clayton finds a warm welcome and cold craft beers at the foot of Mt Ruapehu.

With all sorts of gems, Ohakune takes the carrot, writes Elisabeth Easther.

Paul Charman on the joys of a weekend driving around the Central Plateau.

Ride golf carts, horses or canoes to explore this wonderful area ... or get going on foot.

Rachel Grunwell offers tips on how to survive taking the kids on a ski holiday.

A man who died in Ohakune after a fall early on Saturday was a member of the Navy and a keen rugby player.

A man has died in Ohakune early this morning after it appears he jumped over a deer fence which had an 8 metre drop on the other side.

A ramble through forest near Ohakune is a pleasant diversion for the whole family, finds Libby Nicholson-Moon.

This 317km mountainbiking link extends from the Central North Island to the Whanganui River Road and is one of the 18 New Zealand cycle trails which will eventually extend 2000km throughout the country.

Andrew Alderson loses some desk-jockey flab while trying out a new cycle trail.

Having fallen into disuse once rail made life easier, the Central Plateau's Old Coach Rd is now being utilised by cyclists. Diana Clement got on her bike.

Another 80 job losses announced today in a third sawmill unable to profitably export timber suggests the wood industry is in crisis, says a union representing workers in the sector.