Question Tukino access in a Rav4

[teleroo]

I've got a three week trip to Ruapehu coming up. Mostly plan to ski Turoa. But maybe on busy days might visit Tukino. Their website says "off-road 4x4" required to get all the way to the resort. I've got an all wheel drive Rav4 booked as a rental car. Does anyone here know if these are ok to get up to Tukino, or are they really after Pajero/Prado/ute type vehicles, assuming a non snowy day.

 

[Dumphfish]

Haven't done it myself but don't think 'off-road 4x4' is the description of a Rav4 and I'm a CRV driver. Think the road might be gnarly.

 

[chrisj]

I've never driven up to Tukino, but if it's a Rav4 Hybrid you're renting, they have surprisingly good traction off road with their electric drive to the rear wheels.

 

[teleroo]

Older model we've got (cheaper rental company, Apex), so not expecting hybrid.

 

[Donzah]

I've seen the Tukino road look incredibly rough (water crossings GIANT pot holes etc) ...
However I think its usually ok.

 

[Donzah]

You'll be fine in a rav i reckon

 

[teleroo]

I emailed Tukino this morning. RAV4 ok according to them. So sweet as bro - that's what they say over there innit?

 

[Donzah]

I emailed Tukino this morning. RAV4 ok according to them. So sweet as bro - that's what they say over there innit?

true

Yeah I googled and I saw subies etc up there.

 

[teleroo]

And for future reference, your Tukino lift pass includes harness and nutcracker required for rope tows, so no need to hire as additional items.

 

[Donzah]

And for future reference, your Tukino lift pass includes harness and nutcracker required for rope tows, so no need to hire as additional items.

Get some beefy AF leather gloves as well

 

[teleroo]

Check

 

[essjaywhy]

Rav 4 ok unless a foot of new snow to low levels ~ most unlikely. But mid aug in deep snow th final pitch took my outback 3x in regular tyres to get up.
Very friendly field you will get to know everyone.
Epic day touring. Big snow cover.
You can network on North Island back country touring Facebook
Best

 

[teleroo]

Roughly when does Tukino close the tows for the season @essjaywhy ?

 

[essjaywhy]

watch their facebook , maybe in 2 weeks due to lack of custom not snow.
NZAlpineClub is there on the Oct 4 weekend so perfect touring opportunity with 30+ peeps

Always play the weather on Rua, lots to do off-the-snow in the national park region - fish hotpools golf hike mtb etc

 

[teleroo]

I was hoping they'd be an alternative during school holiday weekends if the bigger resorts were getting a bit busy. Will watch fb/website though. Ta.

 

[chrisj]

I was hoping they'd be an alternative during school holiday weekends if the bigger resorts were getting a bit busy. Will watch fb/website though. Ta.

I was at Ruapehu last year during October school hols (weekdays). Wasn't busy at all.

 

[teleroo]

That's what I'm hoping. Just got a bit freaked out by weekend parking dramas a few weeks ago evident on FB. But I think like here, weather warms up and everyone moves on from thinking about the snow.

 

[essjaywhy]

I put some past trip photos up in the nz19 weather thread