Christchurch, Snow Holidays

Roundhill Ski Area is situated in the heart of the Mackenzie Country and provides the perfect setting for a relaxing day skiing or snowboarding on our gentle, undulating hill. There is a great beginners area where learners and little ones can enjoy our platter lift and 2 beginners rope tows; whilst our 2 T-Bars give access to loads of wide, perfectly groomed intermediate trails with lots of natural dips and curves making for fun and interesting skiing and riding. Roundhill is perfect for families, there is also parking right on the slope - so no need to haul all that gear!  You can watch the little ones fly past from the comfort of your deck chair! Whether on our access road, the learner platter, or the T-bar, you and your children are on the safest ski area in the country! Children 5 & under ski free.

Mt Dobson has been providing skiing and snowboarding pleasure to thousands of people for many years. With regular snowfalls on its peaks and across the wide open slopes, Mt Dobson offers a fun skiing and snowboarding experience for everyone. From the well-groomed slopes for the beginners & intermediates, through to the soft and smooth powder that will test the best. Mt Dobson offers a challenge for all levels of skiers and boarders. Largest, sunniest beginner/intermediate slope in New Zealand, natural snow, sunny, 3km wide basin with 14 runs, school programmes and beginners packages.

The terrain is a series of rolling bowls with awesome runs to challenge all levels of snowboarders and skiers, beginner to expert. The surrounding basins provide superb untracked 'back country' terrain for the more adventurous. Broken River is administered by the Broken River Ski Club. It offers an alternative to skiers and snowboarders who are looking to experience back to basics fun in the snow. There are 2 learner tows and 3 high-speed tows. Everyone is welcome at Broken River, although some previous experience in the snow is an advantage. Accommodation available at the ski field. NOTE: The Broken River field is accessed by a 4 minute Tramway that carries you and your gear to the ticket office, or, you can also choose to walk-in (20-30 minutes) through gorgeous beech forest and have only your gear sent on the service lift.

Known as “New Zealand’s largest off piste ski area”, this is not a beginners’ field. Suitable for intermediate and advanced skiers only. Steep narrow chutes, wide open powder bowls, un-crowded runs or just a place to take it easy in the awesome vista of the Craigieburn Range. Craigieburn Valley has all this and more for intermediate to advanced off-piste enthusiasts. Lodge accommodation with bar at the ski field.

Rainbow Ski Area captures regular winter snow, which is enhanced by its snowmaking and grooming throughout the night so you can have the best day's skiing and boarding. The wide uncrowded slopes and well groomed trails provide superb terrain for beginners and intermediates while advanced skiers can challenge themselves in the high powder runs and chutes. There is 1 Main T-Bar, 1 Intermediate Platter, 1 Learners tow, 1 Terrain Park tow, 1 West Bowl access tow. Overlooking Nelson Lakes National Park with its extensive beech forest and beautiful Lake Rotoiti, the views from the top of the T-bar are spectacular. Group or private lessons available for those ages 7 upwards.

Just over 2 hours from Christchurch, surrounded by mountains, it could be another world away. Hanmer Springs Ski Area is situated on Mt. St. Patrick and is an easy 40 minutes drive from the alpine thermal holiday resort of Hanmer Springs. In a good season with lots of snow there is some fabulous skiing. The ski runs cater for all stages of skiers, but especially anyone of intermediate grade who'll literally discover a mountain of fun! While all the main runs are groomed there's still plenty of virgin snow left for the experts and the more adventurous to enjoy. Lodge accommodation available at the ski field.

Fox Peak offers a variety of terrain, with 4 rope tows and a platter lift.  Skid Row – is 75m in length with a vertical rise of 10m, making it safe for children, sunny and close to the car park. There is a huge range of awesome trails for all levels and abilities. Hundreds of acres of natural snow combined with unbelievable silence, stunning views and plenty of space. Accommodation available at the ski field. Children 10 years and under ski free.

Christchurch's closest ski area at just 89km away, with a short, easy access road make this a favourite. Whatever your ability, you’ll feel right at home at Porters. We’ve got gentle runs and easy lifts for beginners and kids, long cruising runs for the intermediates, and super challenging terrain for advanced skiers and riders. The Porters Community Park also offers a challenge for the more adventurous, and a great platform to progress your freestyle skills.  There is a Beginners Carpet lift, an Intermediate Platter lift, a 4 Seater Chair lift and 3 T-bar lifts.  FOR THE KIDS - Kids Programmes - for all ages - Special programmes include Holiday Snow Fun, Sunday Specials and Junior Ski School.

Temple Basin offers a great variety of terrain spread over four separate basins. There are gentle slopes for complete beginners, adrenalin-pumping challenges for the expert, and everything in between. Floodlit slopes make night skiing a pleasure and if you haven’t tried it, go! Skiing at night is a unique and surreal experience! Lodge accommodation at the ski field.
NOTE: The Temple Basin field is foot access only!  The car park is beside State Highway 73, 4kms west of the Arthur's Pass Village. From it a well defined walking track takes you up to the Lodges and the Field. The walk takes 45 minutes in good conditions. A free baggage lift carries your gear up for you.

Just 17km off the main highway between Christchurch and the Southern Lakes, this is a family-owned, very friendly field with consistent snow. You can arrange accommodation at the Ohau Lodge at the bottom of the access road (bookings advised) or in nearby Twizel or Omarama. There are two learners areas, intermediate runs, plus fantastic powder skiing for those prepared for a little hiking! FOR THE KIDS check out the - Mountain Goats beginners program. Children 5 years and under ski free.

Mt Olympus is a unique alpine experience. Providing unrivaled skiing and boarding, irrepressible club spirit and spectacular NZ scenery.  Come and enjoy our friendly and affordable ski area for a day, weekend or week!  There is a beginners tow rope and three other high-capacity rope tows that allow a great choice of terrain to suit intermediates or the most advanced skiers and with a little walking from the Top Tow, it opens up even more terrain in this wide open bowl. Accommodation available at the ski field. Family ski passes.

The second closest ski area to Christchurch (90 minutes drive), Mt Cheeseman offers open, rolling terrain and great beginner and intermediate slopes making this a good family and learners’ field. There is Lodge accommodation at the ski field (Snowline Lodge - ski in/ski out) and the mountain has a sunny aspect with groomed runs and off-piste terrain catering for all abilities.  There are two T-bar lifts which provide access to the whole mountain; and a learners’ rope tow in a dedicated learners’ area.

Friendly and safe - this is personalised door-to-door transport to Mt Hutt Ski field. Our 4WDs seat 4 passengers (2 4WDs can be hired for larger families). At just $120 return per vehicle, Methven to Mt Hutt, we're fantastic value, and best of all, you get to leave and return when you want! Staying in Christchurch? We'll pick you up and return you at your required time, for transport to Mt Hutt, any other ski field, or just for a personalised day's sightseeing ($360 per vehicle per day). If you're staying in Methven we also operate the only 24 hr taxi service around town.

Mt Lyford is one of New Zealand’s first true alpine developments. This field is a favourite with families as it has great facilities for learners and a variety of challenging runs for the more experienced. Snowboarding is catered for with the ‘Wild Ride’ terrain park and a great natural half-pipe, as well as tubing and tobogganing areas. There is 1 T-bar, 2 platter lifts, a 180m fixed grip and one advanced rope tow. The Terako Day Lodge has a cafe and ski/snowboard hire.  Kids 6 years and under ski free.