Skiing and Snowboarding

The Canterbury region is the ‘capital’ of skiing in New Zealand and has over 10 ski areas all within 2 ½ hours drive of Christchurch International Airport. Commercial ski areas, club ski fields, skiing, snowboarding or try a spot of heli-skiing – this is the ultimate! 

^{Snowboarding - Ohau}

From North to South start your ski break at Mt Lyford , then a short drive to the Hanmer Springs ski area and from there through to Christchurch's closest ski area, Porters - perfect for the whole family.

And, if you like to live life at pace, you’ll discover that one of the world’s leading ski areas, Mt Hutt , is only one and a half hours from Christchurch International Airport… that’s just 90 minutes for you  to morph from jetlag junkie to mountain manic!  Mt Hutt has a well earned reputation for having the longest and most consistent season in all of Australasia – but wait - there’s more!  Methven, the Mt Hutt Village, is the après-ski par excellence, and is a mere 30 minutes from the top of the mountain! 

The warm southern hospitality of cosy restaurants, pubs and places to stay means that here, there is an option for everyone - from backpackers to B&B’s, luxury lodges to log cabins. 

Or, if you’re just plain greedy, and can’t get enough – ski Mt Hutt, jump in the car, drive along one of the most scenic routes in the world – Inland Scenic Route 72, hang a right at Geraldine onto State Highway 8 and before you know it, you’re in Mackenzie Country ... another  4 ski areas to blow your mind - Fox Peak, Mt Dobson, Roundhill and Ohau . If you’re not totally and happily knackered by this stage, you can always drive on - and ski again in Queenstown.

Skiing in Christchurch and Canterbury… AWESOME!