Canterbury Skiing

A Winter Lovers Paradise

The temperatures drops and Canterbury becomes a playground for all winter lovers. With the most ski areas in the Southern Hemisphere, Canterbury skiing has something to excite everyone – from family-friendly fields to powder paradise backcountry adventures. Mt Hutt is the largest ski field and is only a 90-minute drive from Christchurch. There are slopes for every skill level, but it is especially great for families to have a day full of fun and adventure. Children under 10 ski for free and a world-class snow school supports them to become comfortable on the slopes. Book your accommodation in Methven and enjoy the apres-ski in one of the pubs. Mt Cheeseman and Porter’s, both well known as family-friendly resorts, also provide adventures for advanced skiers and boarders. Children age 10 or under ski for free. Have you ever heard about the nutcracker? Nah not the two-act ballet – a metal clamp which brings you up to paradise. The club fields in New Zealand run on rope tows – basically, a moving rope which passes through a series of pulleys, and to ride them you need a nutcracker. You clip the nutcracker on the rope and it pulls you up the mountain. Boys don’t be afraid – the name comes from the shape of the metal clamp. Rope tows are an easy and basic way to get up the mountain and also come with a few benefits that you won’t get from alternative options. They are just as fast as normal chairlifts, steep terrain is no problem and they can operate in strong winds. It is recommended that you have some skiing experience before you try and give the nutcracker a go. Even if you are an expert, you’ll need some practice and patience. Don’t you worry – you will get an introduction by the ski patrol or the club members. The first times might be a bit frustrating but keep going, within no time you’ll have the hang of it. The steeper the rope tow the harder it is. Temple Basin: raw, unique and indescribable. The hike up takes about 40 minutes and is your way to paradise. Don’t worry – you don’t have to carry your gear – there’s a goods-lift. You will find an absolute off-piste paradise. There is plenty of intermediate skiing opportunity when you get off the lifts and within a few minutes of hiking, you’ll get to amazing, steep couloirs. Their lodge offers you the whole package, accommodation, dinner, dessert, and stunning views over the glaciers over on other mountains. Mount Olympus is a paradise for powder days and backcountry skiing. Book your night at the lodge and relax in New Zealand’s highest altitude hot tub after a hard day hitting the slopes. Broken River is another off-piste paradise. Uncrowded powder basins and chutes are the base for the most unforgettable day of skiing you will experience in your lifetime. Easy rope tow – so perfect for nutcracker virgins. This is perfect all levels of skiers and boarders. Everyone will find their freedom here. Accommodation is also available on-mountain and there’s no better way to end or start in a new adventure. Craigieburn provides the easiest access for advanced off-piste skiing. Wide open powder bowls, narrow chutes and no crowds – you will love it. The rope tow might not be perfect for beginners but manageable. Canterbury skiing – You’ll love it!