Exciting skiing at club fields
All through the South Island's Southern Alps are what is known in New Zealand as the 'club fields'. These are so called because they are usually private patches of mountain managed and run by private ski clubs. But anyone is welcome.
Snow conditions and terrain vary greatly but there are some great secret spots to be explored for the more adventurous. Many of the fields offer accommodation on the fields and offer some all inclusive packages that are very reasonable.
The following is a listing and background of the 'club fields' for skiing and snowboarding situated in the Canterbury region.
Mt Lyford
Lyford is situated 140 kilometres north of Christchurch. The Mt Lyford ski area is serviced by a cafe, four pomas, one learner and one advanced tow, plus four snow groomers. Accommodation is also available in the Mt Lyford Village. The access road is a 10 kilometre long gravel road which passes through Beech Forest and into alpine terrain. It passes through the lower of the two areas at Mount Lyford, Lake Stella, where there is a car park, and finishes at Terako Basin, where there is another car park
Further information:
Nearest town: Waiau - 26km, nearest airport - Christchurch 146km.
Ski season: Opens early June, closes mid October.
Company Name: Mount Lyford Alpine Resort
Website www.mtlyford.co.nz
Hanmer Springs Ski Area
This ski area is a small club field with a friendly atmosphere. It is well suited to intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders who enjoy open spaces with groomed trails and a relaxed atmosphere away from the tow queues and hurly burly of commercial ski fields. The access road goes all the way to the day lodge and is usually negotiable by 4WD vehicles but chains need to be carried. 2WD vehicles need chains, particularly early in the season.
Further information:
Nearest town: Hanmer Springs (24km), nearest airport - Christchurch (149km)
Ski Season: Opens early July, ends mid-September.
Company Name: Hanmer Spring Ski Area
Website www.snow.co.nz/hanmersprings
Alpure Peaks
Alpure Peaks offers skiers and snowboarders the chance to experience New Zealand's Southern Alps in a truly unique fashion. The specially modified snowcat is used to transport a maximum of 10 clients per day, for a full day of unforgettable runs amongst the 2,600 ha of alpine terrain. Alpure Peaks is located 10 mins off the main route from Christchurch to Queenstown. Simply follow the Fox Peak road signs - 16km from the junction of SH 8 and SH 79.
Further information:
Nearest town: Fairlie, nearest airport - Tekapo (113km).
Ski season: Opens weekends early June, ends late September.
Company Name: Alpure Peaks Snowcat
Website www.alpurepeaks.co.nz
Fox Peak Skifield
This private field in the Two Thumb Range lies well to the sun. There are rope tows, ski touring areas and heli-skiing is available. 650m of downhill skiing is serviced by 3 tows, plus free learner tow - groomed & ungroomed slopes. The Ski Shack at Fairlie has equipment for hire. Casual skiing is available by arrangement with Fox Peak Ski Club.
Further information:
Bunk accommodation at Fox Lodge - 3 km.
Ski Season: Opens early August, ends mid September
Company Name: Fox Peak Ski Area /Ski Club
Website www.foxpeak.co.nz/
Mount Dobson
Mount Dobson is owned and operated by the Foote Family which has a commitment to make this the friendliest ski area around. With regular snowfalls on its peaks and across its wide open slopes, Mount Dobson offers fun skiing and snowboarding for everyone. It is well suited to families, beginners and intermediates, but high above the groomed slopes there is soft smooth powder to challenge the best skiers and snowboarders. On field facilities: 1 triple chair, 1 platter lift, 1 fix grip, ski and snowboard rental.
The access road is a wide smooth mountain road arguably the easiest alpine road in New Zealand. There is plenty of level parking at the base facilities and shuttle service is available weekends and holidays. The access road turn off is ten kilometres west of Tekapo on Highway 8 on the right. It is an unsealed road, with a shuttle service from the toll-gate.
Further information:
Nearest town: Fairlie (26km), nearest Airport - Tekapo
Ski season: Opens early July to Mid October.
Company Name: Mount Dobson Ski Area
Website www.dobson.co.nz
Ohau Snow FieldsThe beginner area and the Boulevard trail, which runs the length of the field, supply beginners with ample terrain on an otherwise steeper field. The T-Bar is 1033m long, and accesses a variety of terrain from wide open intermediate slopes to extreme chutes.The alpine road is a 10 kilometre unsealed road to the car park. The Lake Ohau Lodge at the base of the access road, on the shores of Lake Ohau is well worth a stay. It is a great stop over half way between Christchurch and Queenstown.
Further information:
Nearest town: Twizel, nearest airport - Queenstown
Ski season: Opens early July, ends mid October
Company Name: Ohau Ski Area Ltd
Website www.snow.co.nz
Roundhill
Situated in the heart of the Mackenzie Country, Roundhill has beautiful views of Mount Cook, Lake Tekapo and the Mackenzie Basin. Roundhill's main lift is a Garaventa T-Bar, New Zealand's longest at 1.2km with 255m of vertical. The learner platter lift is situated on a wide gentle slope.
Further information:
Nearest town: Tekapo (7km), nearest airport - Tekapo (8km)
Ski Season: Opens weekends early July, ends late September
Company Name: Roundhill Ski Field
Website www.roundhill.co.nz
Mt Cheeseman
Renowned for its sunny protected basin, Cheesman's T-bar lifts offer crisp skiing and boarding on groomed slopes. The Club offers extensive modern facilities. Cheeseman is a south-easterly facing bowl. It is made up of two halves, the groomed piste and the ungroomed which has Mt Cockayne at the top and Powder Valley. The groomed area is mostly intermediate terrain, there is a small but good learner area, and plenty of offpiste steeps which can be traversed to. The access road is an unsealed road which starts by winding its way through beech forest and then continues through alpine terrain. There is an unload point up by the T-Bar and the car park is 200m back down the road.
Further information:
Nearest town: Springfield (41km), nearest airport - Christchurch (112km)
Ski season: Opens early July, ends late September
Company Name: Mt Cheeseman Ski Field
Website www.mtcheeseman.com/
Broken River
A walk through native beech forest will access an exhilarating alpine setting. Access lifts include a goods lift and rope tows. Skiers and boarders experience awesome terrain especially in the back basins. Broken River has on-field accommodation in centrally heated lodges with bunk style sleeping quarters. Ski - Sleep - Ski packages offer lifts, accommodation and lessons for any length of stay. Night skiing under lights when conditions permit. The access road takes you up through native beech forest to the car park. From there, a goods lift is available to carry gear while skiers walk a pleasant graded track through the bush to the accommodation lodges, which are tucked just inside the bush line. The 15 - 20 minute walk is a great way to warm up for a day of skiing or snowboarding.
Further information:
Nearest town: Springfield (63), nearest airport - Christchurch (123)
Ski Season: Opens mid to late June, ends late October.
Company Name: Broken River Ski Field
Website www.snow.co.nz/brokenriver
Temple Basin
Located on the Main Divide in Arthur's Pass National Park where prevailing North-west weather brings plenty of snow. Voted No.1 Snowboarding Area due to its terrain, atmosphere and attitude Temple Basin is also on the world extreme skiing circuit. Three rope tows and one beginners fixed grip tow provide the lift. Floodlit slopes make night skiing a pleasure. Two modern lodges offer bunk room style accommodation for 120 people, only metres from the tows. Ski and snowboard hire, and expert instruction are all available on the mountain. Eight kilometres past the Arthur's Pass township is the Temple Basin car park. There is a goods lift half a kilometre further along the highway. The walk from the car park to the skifield takes up to an hour.
Further information:
Nearest town: Arthur's Pass (8km), nearest airport - Christchurch (163)
Ski season: Opens late June, ends mid October
Company Name: Temple Basin Ski Area
Website www.templebasin.co.nz/
Mount Olympus
Olympus is situated on a south facing slope on the back of the Craigieburn Range. Access lifts are rope tows and the natural terrain offers unbeatable skiing and snowboarding. Plan your trip and stay over as the club boasts a great apres ski atmosphere. There is a beginner tow at the top of the access tow close to the lodge. From the top of the Main Tow and the Top Tow there are plenty of choices with terrain to suit intermediates or the most advanced skiers
Further information:
Nearest town: Methven (58km), nearest airport - Christchurch (125km)
Ski season: opens mid July, ends mid October
Company Name: Mt. Olympus Ski Field
Website www.mtolympus.co.nz
Craigieburn Valley
Craigieburn offers a superb range of skiing and snowboarding runs. Access lifts are rope tows. Craigieburn's main area is made up of two basins, Siberia Basin and Hamilton Face. It is an advanced field with plenty of steeps and chutes. After a busy day check out the bar in the cosy alpine lodge. The access road is a six kilometre unsealed road through beech forest. There is a short walk from the car park to the lifts.
Further information:
Nearest town: Springfield (50km), nearest airport - Christchurch (120km)
Ski season: opens late June, closes late October
Company Name: Craigieburn Valley Ski Area (INC)
Website www.craigieburn.co.nz
Porter HeightsPorter Heights lifts run up two distinct valleys. It has ample beginner terrain, with two beginner tows just above the beginner area. There is plenty of on-piste for the intermediate to advanced. The off-piste is dominated by two faces, Big Mama which towers above the true right of the base area, and Bluff Face which towers above the true left. At 620m, Big Mama boasts one of the largest vertical drops in one lift-accessed run in New Zealand.
Further information:
Nearest town: Springfield (35km), nearest airport - Christchurch (95km)
Ski season: opens Mid June, closes mid October
Company Name: Porter Heights Ski Area Ltd
Website www.porterheights.co.nz
Mount Potts
Dubbed the new 'spot x' by a visiting La Grave guide, Mount Potts caters to the needs of even the most extreme boarders and skiers. Mount Potts captures an average of 11m of snow per season, and combines steeps, with rock drops, windlips and chutes. Mount Potts welcomes skiers and snowboarders of intermediate to advanced ability. Mount Potts do not cater for beginners and all guests must be 18 or over. Accommodation is available. Mt.Potts Cat takes a group of no more than 14 riders and skiers to powder heaven every day, with a gourmet packed lunch provided, and all safety aspects looked after. The cat delivers you to the top ridge by two different routes. Then the guides lead a short hike to the drop in point. Hiking isn't compulsory, but you may find that you want to here... Mt.Potts supplies an avalanche transceiver for each guest, and you are given a lesson on how to use it.
Further information:
Nearest town: Methven (87km), nearest airport - Christchurch (180km)
Ski Season: starts late June, ends late September
Company Name: Mount Potts
Website www.mtpotts.co.nz
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