Located in the Canterbury region, Christchurch is a top destination for skiing and snowboarding in the Alps. You’ll find a variety of ski fields within hours of Christchurch, including the famous Mt Hutt Ski Area and the beginner-friendly Porters Ski Area. You’ll even have access to lesser-known resorts with unique offerings, such as charming club-run fields and bare-bones resorts designed for only the most advanced and daring of sportsmen. Whether you’re looking for family resorts or death-defying thrills on the mountain, find out more about the best ski fields near Christchurch to see what you can expect for your holiday.
Porters Ski Area for family trips
Porters Ski Area is a former club ski field that’s now a thriving resort near Christchurch. The resort has over 700 hectares of skiable terrain with 29 runs divided between beginner, intermediate and advanced areas. The resort is quite family-friendly and uses a beginner magic carpet and platter tow, as well as top-notch grooming equipment. You’ll also find a terrain park with a range of jumps and rails to hone your skills.
Hanmer Springs Ski Area for adventurers
Hanmer Springs Ski Area is a spectacular ski resort on Mount Saint Patrick. The club-operated resort features many exciting amenities, including a Poma lift over 800 metres and a high-end groomer. Over 52 hectares of ski terrain with a vertical of 310 metres, you’ll have access to numerous intermediate runs, advanced runs and a smaller beginner area. Freestyle snowboarders and skiers can use a diverse terrain park to practise jumps and tricks.
Mt Hutt Ski Area for expert skiers and boarders
Located in the Southern Alps, the Mt Hutt Ski Area is the perfect resort for advanced skiers and snowboarders. As one of the largest resorts in New Zealand, Mt Hutt Ski Area has 365 hectares of skiable terrain divided between beginner, intermediate and advanced areas. You’ll find options and challenges for all levels of skier and boarder, including long sweeping runs for intermediates, well-groomed flats for beginners and diverse off-piste terrain for experts. The resort also has 4 world-class terrain parks with progressive jibs and a half pipe.
Mt Lyford Alpine Resort for beginner skiers
The Mount Lyford Alpine Resort is a located on Mount Terako and Mount Lyford, giving you a massive area for skiing and snowboarding. The beginner, intermediate and advanced runs span an elevation of hundreds of metres, all serviced by T-bar, poma, rope tow and platter lifts. Many of the trails are well-groomed for beginner and intermediate skiers. If you want to practice tricks, the resort features a terrain park with a fun box and halfpipe.
Mt Cheeseman Ski Area fun with the kids
Located on the southeast basin, Mt Cheeseman Ski Area is a popular resort near Springfield that caters to families and novice skiers and boarders. The resort features groomed runs for beginners and intermediates, a small dedicated novice area and a learners’ tow and a ski school with classes for children. If you want more adventure, however, Mt Cheeseman Ski Area also has a variety of thrilling off-piste runs and backcountry experiences for a challenging ski or snowboard trip.
Fox Peak Ski Field for child-friendly skiing
Fox Peak Ski Field is a club-run ski field that’s a bit of a hidden gem, so you won’t experience many crowds. The resort boasts 580 vertical metres and 500 hectares of terrain with beginner, intermediate and advanced areas. The entire field is on a steep mountain face with chutes and bowls, so it’s a playground for experts and confident advanced skiers and snowboarders. If you’re bringing the kids or it’s your first time, you’ll find nutcracker rope tows and a learners’ platter lift that takes you to a dedicated beginner area.
Craigieburn Valley Ski Area for challenging terrain
The Craigieburn Valley Ski Area is a haven for advanced and expert skiers and boarders. A favourite among serious enthusiasts, Craigieburn Valley Ski Area has some of the most challenging terrain in all of New Zealand, complete with steep, narrow chutes, wide-open powder bowls and no grooming. The entire resort is off-piste and features long runs that are similar to heli-ski backcountry. With a little trekking, you’ll find even more adventurous areas beyond the 400 hectares of skiable terrain at the main resort.