Head for the hills! Skiing and snow sports in Canterbury

Winter brings colder weather but for some that means the best time of year snow in the mountains brings the chance to ski and snowboard in some of Canterbury’s great alpine areas which boast spectacular views over the plains.

Skifields are set to open mid-to-late June. Canterbury is home to a number of commercial fields as well as club fields.

Skiers and snowboarders are becoming increasingly adventurous in heading into alpine areas during winter, so if you are going to the mountains make sure you are prepared there can be real weather and avalanche risks. The Mountain Safety Council offers training programmes and advice for those heading to the hills.

Online resources

• Brown Bear Ski and Snowboard guide to skiing and snowboarding in New Zealand
• Snow Reports lists snow conditions in club and commercial fields around New Zealand
• Skiing and snow sport sites from our Internet Gateway
• Skiing, snowboarding and snow and ice listings from localeye

Our Community Information Christchurch database CINCH also lists contacts for local ski clubs and fields.

• Freestyle skiing
• Skis and skiing
• Snowboarding
• Snowtubing

Resources in our libraries

• Snowboarding halfpiping to jibbing, there’s something for everyone
• Skiing guide to New Zealand resources