Cardrona is renowned as a natural choice for families, beginners and intermediates. Cardrona’s famous learner’s slopes have been redeveloped for the 2011 season. The widest, most scenic learner trails in the region make the ski resort a favourite with newbies. Four dedicated Kids Centres, including early childcare centres. For the more adventurous Cardrona offers extensive terrain park facilities with half-pipes, gravity cross and a range of beginner freestyle features.

Highest Point 1,860 m
Vertical Point 600 m
Skiable Area 345 ha
Lift Pass Prices Adult $94, student (NZ) $73, child $46, 60 – 74 years $49
Lifts 2 quad fixed chairlifts, 2 quad express chairlifts, 2 surface conveyor lifts, 1 platter lift
Groomers 4
Snow Making All basins
On Field Ski/Board Hire Boards/skis $45/day
Tuition Snow school, high performance centre
Package Deals Lift, lessons and rental: adult $160, child $100
Extras 5 cafés

If you are an advanced or expert rider then Craigieburn is your holy grail! Steep narrow chutes, wide open powder bowls and uncrowded runs. Craigieburn also offers some of the most readily accessible side-country for touring or hiking. The Craigieburn Day Pass also lets you ski Broken River, though you will need to be equipped with a beacon, probe and shovel (and know how to use them). Koroheke and Matuhi Lodges are set amongst native beech forest at the base of the field.

Highest Point 1,922 m
Vertical Point Over 500 m
Skiable Area 400 ha
Longest Run Leg Burning
Lift Pass Prices Adult $68, student/affiliate $45, youth $45, under 13 & over 70 free
Lifts 3 high-capacity rope tows
Tuition Group $20 p/h, private $40 p/h
Package Deals Ski Week: meals, bed, lift and lesson for 7 days/6 nights from $750
On-field Accommodation Yes
Extras Dinner, bed & breakfast $60 per night

Temple Basin, in the heart of Arthur’s Pass National Park, is accessible by a 50-minute scenic walk. A free goods lift carries gear up the mountain. Modern lodges are only metres from the lifts, one of which is floodlit for night-skiing. Transworld snowboarding magazine: “If I had to stay in one area, on one mountain, to snowboard for the rest of my life, it would be Temple Basin – it’s that good.”

Highest Point 1,923 m
Vertical Point 430 m
Skiable Area 320 ha
Lift Pass Prices Adult $67, student $47, under 18 $35, under 13 $22
Season Pass Prices Early adult $320, late adult $420, early junior $270, late junior $370
Lifts 3 rope tows
On-field Ski/Board Hire Yes
Tuition Ski and snowboard
Package Deals Ski weeks $450 – $750 (adult)
On-field Accommodation 120 bunks
Extras 2 nights/3 days $195 – $340 (adult)

Laid-back and affordable, Porters is the closest ski area to Christchurch with a short and easy access road. Facilities are comprehensive and the atmosphere is friendly. Skiing and boarding for all abilities, plus excellent snow sports school. Advanced skiers and boarders will love the legendary Bluff Face and Big Mama runs while families enjoy the beginners’ area. Exciting terrain park and cosy on-field accommodation.

Highest Point 1,980 m
Vertical Point 670 m
Skiable Area 290 ha
Lift Pass Prices Adult $82, uni student $57, youth $42, kids under 7 free
Lifts 3 T-bars, 1 platter, 1 learners’ ski mat
Groomers 2
Snow Making T-bar one, terrain park and learners’ area
Heli Skiing By arrangement
On-field Ski/Snowboard Hire Yes
Tuition Yes
On-field Accommodation 40 beds

Wide, uncrowded slopes, groomed trails, a terrain park and high-powder runs and chutes provide superb terrain for all levels. Overlooking Lake Rotoiti and Nelson Lakes National Park, the views from the top are spectacular!

Highest Point 1,758 m
Vertical Point 322 m
Skiable Area 300 ha
Lift Pass Prices Adult $70, student $50, youth $35, senior $35, child free
Lifts 1 main T-bar, 1 intermediate platter, 1 terrain park tow, 1 beginners’ fixed grip, 1 snow tube park tow, 1 off-piste access tow
Groomers 1
Snow-making Yes
On-field Ski/Board Hire Yes
Tuition Yes
Packages Groups  and/or multi-day

Stylish and cosmopolitan, Coronet Peak is the South Island’s most popular mountain resort. It’s the most accessible ski area in the region. Snow cover throughout the season guaranteed by a sophisticated snowmaking system. Night-skiing and First Tracks mean Coronet Peak has the longest daily operating hours of any New Zealand resort. Open daily 9am to 4pm, with night skiing from 4pm to 9pm (Fridays and Saturdays).

Highest Point 1,649 m
Vertical Point 462 m
Skiable Area 280 ha
Longest Run 2.4 km
Season 5 June – 3 October
Lift Pass Prices Adult $95, youth/senior $52, child/super senior free
Lifts High-speed 6-seater, 2 high-speed quad, T-bar, 4 surface lifts
Snow Making Extensive
On-field Ski/Board Hire Yes
Tuition Available
Accommodation Queenstown
Extras Transport $12 pp/day on NZSki Snowline

Catering for learners and intermediates, The Remarkables also offers big mountain possibilities for off-piste fans. Ski awesome backcountry trails or board ‘The Stash’, the first Burton Park in the Southern Hemisphere. Board our Dirty Dog Terrain Park or Tararua Iced Coffee Mini Terrain Park! Snow-making at the half-pipe, terrain parks, beginners’ area and tubing park mean excellent coverage at all times.

Highest Point 1,943 m
Vertical Point 357 m
Skiable Area 220 ha
Longest Run 1.5 km
Open Daily 9am – 4pm
Lift Pass Prices Adult $91, student $70, youth/senior $49, child/super senior free
Lifts 3 quad chairs, 3 surface conveyor lifts, beginner handle tow
Snow Making Extensive
Accommodation Queenstown
On-field Ski/Board Hire Yes
Tuition Yes
Extras Transport $5 pp/day on NZSki Snowline

Mount Hutt is one of the Southern Hemisphere’s most diverse ski areas. Long runs in a mix of terrain, excellent facilities, laid-back atmosphere and recent developments all ensure world-class skiing. A well-developed trail network, 10,000 m² terrain park, triple black diamond runs and steep chutes offer thrills for all levels. Terrain parks include Tararua Iced Coffee Park and Dirty Dog Mini Terrain Park. Shuttle services are available.

Highest Point 2,086 m
Vertical Point 648 m
Skiable Area 365 ha
Longest Run 2 km
Lift Pass Prices Adult $91, student $70, youth (7 – 17)/senior (65 – 74) $49, child/super senior (75+) free
Lifts High-speed 6-seater, quad chair, triple chair, carpet lift
Snow Making 45 ha
On-field Ski/Board Hire Yes
Tuition Available
Accommodation Methven/Christchurch

Ohau has a reputation for its super-friendly vibe and uncrowded slopes. There’s a fun snow mat for learners, a double chairlift accessing a wide flat area for intermediates and great hiking for those wanting to access the wide powder bowls and chutes. Stay at Lake Ohau Lodge and get special lift prices. Legendary events include the Ohau Hooley and Irish Winter Olympics and the Ben Ohoo Highland Games. They are kicking off the 2011 season with a pirate night!

Highest Point 1,825 m
Vertical Point 400 m
Skiable Area 125 ha
Longest Run 2.5 km
Lift Pass Prices Adult $75, student $50, child $30, 5 and under free, over 65 years 50% discount
Season Pass Prices Adult $1,120, student $740, child $260
Lifts 1 chairlift, 1 platter, 1 snow mat
Groomers 2
Snow Making 23 guns
On-field Ski/Board Hire Yes
Tuition Yes
Off-field Accommodation Lake Ohau Lodge

Mount Olympus is a club field set in a south-facing basin of the Craigieburn Range – the southerly aspect means it traps light powder. Mount Olympus has 60 skiable hectares with varied terrain offering challenges for all abilities. A lodge is located up on the ski area and is available for bookings throughout the season. With a qualified chef, ample socialising and bunkroom-style living, Mount Olympus creates a legendary atmosphere!

Highest Point 2,097 m
Vertical Point 450 ha
Skiable Area 60 ha
Lift Pass Prices Adult $70, child $30, student $40, child (under 10) free
Lifts 4 high-capacity rope tows
Heli Skiing By arrangement
Tuition Yes
Package Deals Ski Week includes lift passes, accommodation, meals, instruction – adult $820, junior $450
On-field Accommodation 38-bunk centrally heated lodge with modern kitchen