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.
New senior: $534 initially = $49 joining fee + $385 annual subscription + $100 work-party levy. Accommodation is extra. See all membership fees and levy rules.
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
- Meals included at The Lodge in winter, with a resident chef
- Family-friendly: kids under 8 join free, family joining fee capped
- Events & community: from après ski 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.
- Complete the joining work parties: two for new senior members, or one for summer members. Read the work-party and levy rules.
- Book accommodation via the member portal at discounted rates.
Before applying, check the first-year totals, including the work-party levy. Accommodation is extra.
What’s included
Everything you need for more mountain time.
Member access
Book for yourself at member rates, and bring guests along at the guest rate.
Comfortable stays
Proper lodge accommodation: the classic RSC experience on and off the snow.
Swiss Ski Instructors
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 and pay online by card, with your bunk allocation confirmed 48 hours before the trip.
Member stories
What members say.
Real words from real weekends on the mountain.
“Watching the sun go down from the deck, when everyone else has to drive down the mountain. Brilliant.”
“The peace and magnificence of the mountain, being up there amongst it. What a great place to stay, where you can put your skis on at the door.”
“I’ve been a member for over 20 years. We came as kids and made lifelong friends at the club. It really makes a great community.”
Pricing
What you pay to join.
Your first-year cost is the joining fee, annual subscription and any applicable work-party levy. Nightly accommodation is booked and paid separately. The table shows both totals where the levy can be waived.
On small screens, scroll the table sideways to see all fees.
| Membership | Joining fee Once only | Subscription Each year | Work-party levy When applicable | First-year total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Provisional Senior22 years and older | $49 | $385 | $100 | $534 |
| Young Adult18–21 years | $49 | $150 | $0 or $50 | $199 or $249 |
| Junior8–17 years | $49 | $150 | Exempt | $199 |
| Member’s Child7 years and under | Free | Free | Exempt | Free |
| Summer Member18 years and older | $49 | $150 | $0 or $50 | $199 or $249 |
After both joining work parties: Senior membership is $335 per year, plus a $100 levy when applicable. The joining fee is not charged again. Young Adult and Summer subscriptions remain $150 per year, plus a $50 levy when applicable.
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. Until both are completed you join as a Provisional Senior ($385/yr); once done, you move to standard Senior membership at the lower ongoing rate of $335/yr.
Work Party Levy
From 2026, members who don’t complete a work party at least once every three years pay an annual work party levy in addition to their subscription: $100 for Senior Members, $50 for Young Adult and Summer Members. Attend a work party and the levy doesn’t apply for that year or the following two. New provisional senior members pay the $100 annual levy until both joining work parties are completed. Junior, Associate, Veteran, Life and Honorary Members, and the Committee, are exempt.
Accommodation Rates
What it costs to stay.
Rates last updated July 2026
In addition to the joining fee, annual subscription and any applicable work-party levy, you pay a nightly accommodation 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 or bottom sheet and 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. A refund can also be transferred or held for a future booking.
Whole-building, large group and school bookings 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 senior members complete two joining work parties; summer members complete one. These weekends involve cleaning, maintenance and upgrades. The annual levy rules are explained above.
Booking system
See availability, book for you and your guests, and pay online by card. Bunk allocation is confirmed 48 hours before the trip.
Bedding rules
No sleeping bags. Bring sheets or bottom sheet and duvet cover, and pillow slips.
Membership, levy and stays
Pay a one-off joining fee, an annual subscription and any applicable work-party levy. Accommodation is booked and paid separately for each stay. See the full fee breakdown.
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?
Start your family’s
mountain story.
New senior: $534 initially = $49 joining fee + $385 annual subscription + $100 work-party levy. Accommodation is extra. See all membership fees and levy rules.