Membership
Join the family
on the volcano.
More than a ski club: a 100+ year community on Mt Ruapehu. Affordable membership, legendary lodge life, and access to four club properties across Whakapapa and Turoa.
Already a member? Go to the booking portal.
Why Join
Affordable.
Social.
On-mountain.
RSC is built for people who love the mountain: families, friends, and first-timers alike. Members get discounted accommodation, access to a unique on-mountain community, and the kind of club culture that keeps people coming back for generations.
- Ski-in / ski-out options at Whakapapa (The Lodge + The Hut)
- Discounted accommodation at member rates across four properties
- Full board available at The Lodge with a resident chef
- Family-friendly: kids join free, family joining fee capped
- Events & community: from après evenings to club races
Quick facts
100+
years on the mountain
170
beds across 4 lodges
1,800m
on-mountain altitude
Joining is simple: apply once, then renew annually. Accommodation is booked separately via the member portal at discounted rates.
How membership works
- Choose your membership type (Annual or Summer).
- Apply using the membership form.
- Attend a summer work party to complete membership (great way to meet people).
- Book accommodation via the member portal at discounted rates.
What’s included
Everything you need for more mountain time.
Member access
Book for you and your guests at member rates, with instant confirmation.
Comfortable stays
Proper lodge accommodation: the classic RSC experience on and off the snow.
Swiss Ski Instructions
For over 40 years, RSC has maintained a tradition of hosting a resident Swiss Instructor at the Lodge during the winter season. Members of all levels can access professional coaching and guidance to sharpen their skills on the mountain.
Easy online booking
See availability, pay online, and get instant confirmation.
Member stories
What members say.
Real words from real weekends on the mountain.
“We joined for skiing. We stayed for the people. It’s the most welcoming community we’ve found in NZ.”
“The first work party made everything click: you learn the lodge, meet heaps of legends, and you’re part of it fast.”
“Having a proper base on the mountain changes your season. Early starts, relaxed afternoons, and no long drives home.”
“Summer surprised us: Tongariro, biking, and crisp evenings at the lodge. It’s not just a ski club.”
“Best value club we’re in. The member rates and the vibe make it worth it every year.”
Pricing
Simple.
Fair.
Affordable.
New members pay a one-off joining fee, then an annual membership. Member accommodation is booked separately via the portal at discounted rates.
Work parties (the fun kind)
New senior members attend two summer work parties (summer members attend one). We run around six parties between February and June, a great introduction to club life and a chance to meet people before winter kicks off.
Accommodation Rates
What it costs to stay.
Rates last updated July 2026
Your total cost has three parts: a one-off joining fee and an annual membership (both shown above), then a nightly rate each time you stay. Members book at member rates; guests you bring pay the guest rate. All prices are per person, per night, in NZD.
Swipe the tables sideways to see winter and Lodge rates.
Member rates per person, per night
| Category | SummerChalet & Turoa · self-catered | WinterChalet & Turoa · self-catered | The Lodgewinter · catered · all meals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior | $35 | $47 | $72 |
| Young Adult | $35 | $47 | $72 |
| Teen | $30 | $41 | $63 |
| Junior | $23 | $31 | $47 |
| Member’s Child | $18 | $24 | $36 |
Guest rates non-members, booked by a member, per person per night
| Category | SummerChalet & Turoa · self-catered | WinterChalet & Turoa · self-catered | The Lodgewinter · catered · all meals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior | $45 | $75 | $130 |
| Young Adult | $45 | $75 | $130 |
| Teen | $39 | $66 | $113 |
| Junior | $29 | $49 | $84 |
| Child | $23 | $38 | $65 |
Members pay up to 44% less than guest rates. A senior member pays $72 a night fully catered at The Lodge in winter, versus $130 for a non-member.
What’s included
The Lodge: catered
In the winter ski season, our resident chef cooks three meals a day: a cooked breakfast, lunch, and a hot evening meal. The catered nightly rate covers all of them, so you just turn up and ski.
Chalet & Turoa: self-catered
Both village lodges have full kitchen facilities. You bring or buy your own food and cook for yourself. Rates are self-catered year-round, summer and winter.
Bring your own bedding
Duvets and pillows are provided at every lodge. Bring your own sheets, duvet cover, and pillow slips. No sleeping bags.
Booking & cancellations
Book before you arrive
Every stay is booked and paid in full through the Clubman app before you reach the lodge; there are no bookings on arrival. Pay by card or direct debit (a $5 bank set-up fee can apply to direct debit, plus card fees). A night runs midday to midday.
Guests & children
Members can bring up to 10 non-member guests, booked straight in Clubman. Guests, and anyone under 18, must be accompanied by their sponsoring senior member for the whole stay. Children under 4 can’t stay at the Lodge or Hut.
Lodge catering
When the Lodge cook is on, book at least 24 hours ahead so they can cater for you, and tick the meal box for your first night. Bookings made inside 24 hours may need to self-cater the first evening.
Cancellations & refunds
Cancel at least 48 hours before your first night for a full refund, arranged through admin@rsc.org.nz. Booking and payment fees aren’t refundable. Since February 2026 a refund can also be transferred or held for a future booking.
Whole-building, large group and school bookings, and summer or associate members booking in winter (at guest rates), are arranged through the office at admin@rsc.org.nz.
Year-round
Not just winter.
Summer membership gives you a base for Tongariro, biking, trail running, and crisp lodge weekends.
Good to know
What to know before joining.
Work party requirement
New members join a weekend helping with the club buildings (cleaning, maintenance, upgrades). It’s fun, friendly, and the best intro to the lodges & club life.
Booking system
See availability, book for you and your guests, pay online by card, and get instant confirmation.
Bedding rules
No sleeping bags. Bring sheets, duvet cover, and pillow slips.
Three costs, not one
A one-off joining fee, then annual membership every year, and accommodation is booked and paid separately at member rates each time you stay. It’s not an all-inclusive package.
Duties, every stay
Every stay includes a rostered duty: dishes, cleaning, or snow shovelling, usually under 30 minutes. It’s a member-run club, not serviced accommodation.
Seasonal access
Two buildings are open year-round for member booking. The two high-mountain buildings close over summer.
FAQ
Questions?
We’ve got you.
Do I have to be an expert skier?
No, we’re a mixed club. Beginners, families, and seasoned locals all fit in.
How do bookings work?
Accommodation is booked via our member portal (hosted by a third party). After you join, you’ll get access and can book at member rates.
Can I bring guests?
Yes, guest stays are available (with rules/limits depending on dates and availability).
Ready?