Canterbury - Mackenzie skiing holiday
With more than a dozen ski fields and a variety of terrain, Canterbury-Mackenzie is our most diverse ski area. Find out about the options and facilities.
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Christchurch-Canterbury
Only an hour and a half's drive from Christchurch, Mt Hutt is one of the largest and highest ski areas in the South Island. The relaxed and friendly atmosphere and dedicated learner facilities make it ideal for families and beginners. Learner freestylers and snowboarders will love the half-pipes and terrain park. If you like to be close to the action, the alpine-themed village of Methven is a great base.
If you're looking to make the most of your holiday here, spend your days off the snow exploring Christchurch, or visit the historic French settlement of Akaroa on the stunning Banks Peninsula. Or wind your way north to the soothing hot pools and spas at Hanmer Springs, making sure you take in some of the wineries of the Waipara Valley on your way!
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Mt Hutt Ski Field
- Skiable area: 365 hectares
- Vertical descent: 683m
- Altitude: 2086m
- Number of lifts: 4
- Terrain: 25% beginners, 50% intermediates, 25% advanced
- Business hours: 9am - 4pm
- Months of operation: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
- Proximity to town: 30 mins, 22.5 kms to Methven. 1 hr 30 mins, 95 kms to Christchurch.
- Read more on Mt Hutt
Mount Cook Mackenzie
Located in the heart of the southern alps only a few hours from Christchurch, the Mount Cook Mackenzie region features some of the most awe-inspiring mountain scenery New Zealand has to offer. Great skiing and snowboarding can be had at Mt Dobson. If a ski area was to be designed specifically for beginners to intermediates, this would be it.
Stunning views of Mt Cook, Lake Tekapo and the Mackenzie Basin can be had from Roundhill. A huge beginners slope and gentle pitch make this a great spot if you are skiing or snowboarding for the first time. The Ohau Snow Fields cater for all abilities and are renowned for powder snow, sunshine and uncrowded slopes. Lake Tekapo and Twizel are excellent bases, especially if you want to explore New Zealand's highest mountain Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park while you're here.
Read more about Mount Cook Mackenzie
Mt Dobson Ski Field
- Skiable area: 400 hectares
- Vertical descent: 415m
- Altitude: 2030m
- Number of lifts: 4
- Terrain: 25% beginner, 50% intermediate, 25% advanced
- Business hours: 9am - 4pm
- Months of operation: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
- Proximity to town: 30 mins, 43 kms to Lake Tekapo. 2 hrs 15 mins, 184 kms to Christchurch.
- Read more on Mt Dobson
Roundhill Ski Field
- Skiable area: 550 hectares
- Vertical descent: 783m
- Altitude: 2133m
- Number of lifts: 3
- Terrain: 20% beginner, 45% intermediate, 35% advanced
- Business hours: 9am - 4pm
- Months of operation: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
- Proximity to town: 35 mins, 32 kms to Lake Tekapo. 3 hrs 35 mins, 256 kms to Christchurch.
- Read more on Roundhill
Ohau Snow Fields
- Skiable area: 125 hectares
- Vertical descent: 400m
- Altitude: 1825m
- Number of lifts: 3
- Terrain: 20% beginner, 50% intermediate, 30% advanced
- Business hours: 9am - 4pm
- Months of operation: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
- Proximity to town: 22 mins, 30 kms to Twizel. 4 hrs, 313 kms to Christchurch.
- Read more on Ohau
Other ski fields
Under 2 hours drive from Christchurch is the Selwyn District and the Selwyn 6 ski fields. Porters is a commercial field while Craigieburn, Temple Basin, Broken River, Mt Cheeseman and Mt Olympus are smaller club fields.
Venture towards Hanmer Springs and you can ski at Mt Lyford, another commercial field, or at the club fields of Hanmer Springs and Rainbow. A Licence to Chill Multi Mountain Pass gets you access to 11 of the ski fields in the Canterbury-Mackenzie region.
Image courtesy of Sensational Selwyn
Canterbury-Mackenzie
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