Porters is a popular and expanding commercial ski area with a wide selection of trails and facilities. Access is provided via a chairlift (new in 2015) and three T-bars, plus a beginners magic carpet and intermediate platter. It’s well known for it’s Bluff Face & Big Mama expert terrain plus back-country travel into the adjacent Crystal Valley, with beautiful views from the summit south to Lake Coleridge and north along the Craigieburn Range towards Mt Olympus.
Full rental and instruction facilities available.
New Zealand’s club fields are to sliding in the alpine what Steve McQueen is to cinema. Forget chairlifts. Think woven twine, hardened steel, hardwood timber and No.8 wire. The Clubbies primarily utilise ropetows as a means of upward transport (with a few T-Bars thrown in for good measure), time tested and proven for their low cost, low maintenance and efficiency in moving alpinists to higher elevations. The vibe is unique. You won’t find anything like it anywhere on Earth. Far from the sterile atmosphere you’ll likely experience at most commercial ski areas, The Clubbies emit warmth (it doesn’t affect the snow) and a welcoming vibe.
“The Cheese” is a great sunny family field sporting well groomed runs as well as off-piste terrain for all abilities. There are two T-bars and a learners rope-tow. Backcountry travel into Tarn Basin etc is also popular.
Rental facilities and ski lessons are available.
BR as it is known covers two main bowls with wide, open, rolling slopes suitable for intermediate and advanced riders with natural jumps for the enthusiasts. Allan’s Basin in particular provides an unrivalled backcountry experience with potential for travel further afield including a trip over to the adjacent Craigieburn Valley Ski Area. There are three high-speed rope tows and two learner tows, plus the unique Tyndall Tramway to provide access to the basin.
Tow belts, harnesses & glove protectors available for hire, but no ski rental.
Craigieburn Valley is situated on the NW end of the Craigieburn Range, encompassing two large basins, and is more suited to the intermediate to advanced skier/boarder. Three high capacity rope tows open up a vertical rise of 500m.
No hire facilities on the mountain.
Set in a south-facing basin high in the Craigieburn Range perfect for trapping dry champagne powder dumps, Mt Olympus has 450m of vertical drop over 60 hectares (150 acres) of varied terrain, which provides skiing and riding from beginner to extreme.
Four high-capacity rope tows service the field, and the comfortable lodge sleeps up to 40 on-field with a hot tub and night skiing available.
Tow-belts and nutcrackers are available, but no ski rental.
Temple Basin sits high above Arthurs Pass. The goods lift will transport your gear from the roadside car park while you enjoy the stunning 45 minute hike up to the lodges.
Three rope tows provide access to a summit elevation of 1923m with a vertical drop of 430m. Night skiing is available.
Tow-belts and nutcrackers are available, but no ski rental.
