Turoa ski field might be one lift down but Mt Ruapehu staff say it's still a great season.

The High Noon Express chairlift was damaged during an avalanche last Monday and staff have spent the week assessing damage.

A new replacement tower is about two to three weeks away with the goal of it arriving in time for spring skiing.

Ruapehu Alpine Lifts chief executive Ross Copland says big avalanches only occur when there's an enormous depth of snow at the higher altitudes.

"It's still some great running to be had. Nga Wai Heke, The Giant, the Movenpick, they're all good lifts and good terrain, and with the snow we have at the moment, they are skiing really well."

Copland says the avalanche control teams are the unseen heroes of the ski season.

He says avalanche control is a serious business and patrollers do an amazing job.

"We put our lives in their hands and their specialists from all around the world. We've got guys in there who have been coming back for 25, 30 years. They know this snow pack, they've got a good feel for it."