The lake is now quite acidic and is refilling since the '96 eruption. Certainly not recommended at present, bathing in the crater lake has been a popular pastime for skiers. The first person to swim across the lake was Hugh Girdlestone in 1908. Although no one was hurt in that time, a few hard lessons were learned in the '60's and '70's. Buildings and ski lifts are no longer built in the valleys, and a Lahar Warning System allows skiers at the Whakapapa ski field a few minutes to clamber to higher ground.

During the larger eruptions of 1996, ash was thrown spectacularly 20km into the air. Lahars flowed down many of the valleys - including some in the Whakapapa ski field as Crater Lake displaced it's water. Towards the end of the 1996 eruption the lake was empty, and shows of flying lava could be seen.

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