Here are some ski resort tips from Alex Herbert, the maker of Kingswood Skis (bamboo skis made in Kiwi land)...
Mt. Olympus
Let's go to Mount Olympus! From Christchurch, follow the SH 73 road to Darfield. Here you turn SW towards Methven. Follow Scenic Highway 72 until you see a small, yellow, hard-to-read sign in a left-hand bend: Mt Olympus. Put on your indicators and turn off. 40 - 60 minutes later - and you're at the foot of the ski resort. Four-wheel drive vehicles should be THE means of transportation. Alex says: "The place to be this winter! " A playground for freeriders of all kinds. The fastest rope tow lifts in the country and its own walkway make it possible to ride narrow gullies, open slopes and drop some cliffs. The fact that this area is "off the beaten track" means that you have the chance to enjoy untracked fun even a little later in the day.
Fox Peak
If there is snow, the area is certainly a pleasure. About 2.5 hours drive SW of Christchurch, this nice little club ski field is a stone's throw from Fairlie. The lift motorization is still the jacked up tractor and takes you up to the top. Together with Mt. Hutt, it is the ski area from which the view of the Pacific Ocean is open while enjoying the PowPow. The approach leads through open terrain without exception. In good weather, it's breathtaking!
On the North Island, there is a club field on the east side of Mt Taranaki and Mt Ruapehu, but to be honest: We wanted to go to the volcanoes and not crawl around on the flanks.
About two hours' drive NW from Christchurch, the South Island has two more clubfields in the Hammer Springs area with Hammer Skiarea and Mt Lytford. Unfortunately, we have no idea what it's like there - but I'm sure it's very relaxed!
Other areas: Mt Hutt and Porter Heights.
Mt Hutt ...
is the main ski area for Christchurch and offers chairlifts and drag lifts. The terrain is fat but the ticket is expensive. We had our first pow pow turns there and it was well worth it. If you want to ski all day, pay attention to the ski area boundaries or go far into the backcountry! What is closed is really closed! Heliskiing is also offered here.
Porter Heights ...
is the first ski area when you head west on the SH73. The longest descent in New Zealand: Big Mama awaits with a 450 m difference in altitude. There is even artificial snow here. If the Rope Tows are too rough, check it out. The Chill Pass applies here.
General links
Weather at Skifields
Carpool - Snowpool
Lift tickets
Ski fields
Craigieburn Valley
Broken River
Temple Basin
The other ski fields can either be googled or you can put the name of the ski field after the "www." to end with an elegant ".co.nz"...
Have fun preparing your trip!
