[Gnomon]

One of the reason were moving to Chch is for weekend skiing. Are the any good resorts near Chch? Anyone have any experience of Skiing in the the south Island?

On our last visit in 2003 we skied in Queenstown and found runs very very short and all very busy.

David

[benandclare]

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o279/benandclare/20080813020.jpg

Summit of http://www.nzski.com/mountain.jsp?site=mthutt :nice1

We went 16 times last season and skied in 5 different months.

Cant really comment about weekends as we went mid week and plan to again this season. But apart from School holidays was quiet , i.e. only a 4 min wait at busy time for summit 6 chair

[Gnomon]

Well thank you that looks fantastic.

My eldest is 6 and only she has only been skiing twice total 10 days. You went skiing 16 times last year, that has got me really exited.
Do you know how far Mt Hutt is from Chch?


David

[benandclare]

We lived in the NE of the city and it took us 2 hours from leaving the house to putting our skis on :nice1

[JandM]

I just Googled it - some sites say it's an easy one hour's drive, and another says it's 90 minutes.

[JandM]

Oh - simulpost. Sounds as if it's easy, anyway!

[Gnomon]

90 - 120 minutes is just fine.

I can remember in Chch in September and the weather was good. When we skied in Queenstown the temperature in the town was 20c and we ended up skiing in T-shirts. It was when I was in school I last skied in a T-shirt in Europe.

[benandclare]

We used to leave about 7 am and took 30 mins across town, 60 mins drive through countryside with stunning views to the mountains being basked in morning sun and then 30 mins to drive up the access road.
Leaving at this time we generally got a good spot on the car park as we'd take a picnic as do most folks, you're even allowed to eat it in the cafe if the weather is pants.
Last year we had everything from white outs to slap your factor 30 on :laugh

A few locals nickname it Mount Shut as it can be closed whilst they sort the access road out after heavy snow or strong winds which make it unsafe due to drifting and poor visibility.

There's quite a few Snow bunnies on the forum , we should have a ski day sometime :D

[Gnomon]

Well thank you benandclare you have really wet my appetite

I would be on for ski day but I still don't know when we are arriving as I have yet to sell property here and the market is particular slow, I have been approved PR but I'm just waiting to sent off my passport just in case there any delays. OH and kids have NZ passports......

[PortlandORUSA]

Anyone with the experience of skiing/snowboarding at Mt. Ruapehu and Mt. Egmont in the North Island? How do they compare in terms of powder and steepness?

[LizM]

Porters near Christchurch runs an awesome offer called the passport. If you are a beginner skier or snowboarder then you go for a first day lesson, hire and lift pass. Lessons 2 and 3 (including hire and lift pass) are half price. Fourth day - full price lift pass. Fifth day? That would be free as you now have a season pass! Bargainous and Porters has a great atmosphere! Check out www.skiporters.co.nz