While Japan is experiencing a heatwave right now, snow season is in full swing in New Zealand, on the other side of the globe in the Southern Hemisphere. At this time of year, ski resorts using natural snow ("club fields") without snow machines are finally opening. Unlike Japan's "commercial fields," we'll be introducing a unique "club field" ski resort here. What kind of ski resort is it? Let's take a look
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Club fields and their appeal
Photo: Craigieburn
New Zealand's ski resorts are divided into two types, "commercial ski fields" and "club ski fields," depending on how they are operated. Commercial ski fields are ski resorts operated for profit, managed by companies, maintained, and are commercial facilities offering a variety of services, similar to Japanese ski resorts. Lift tickets have risen in price in recent years, with a one-day pass for a commercial field costing between NZ$120 and NZ$160, which is quite expensive. (1 NZ$ = 87.29 yen as of August 4th)
On the other hand, club fields are local, private ski resorts run by local membership clubs using membership fees and donations, and operated for the benefit of club members, rather than for profit. However, most club fields also accept general visitors, and can be used on a daily basis for a fee. Few have snowmobiles or snowmaking machines, and the atmosphere is breathtakingly wild, with ropes simply strung up to allow people to play in the vast, untouched snowfields of the mountains. Lift tickets are also cheaper than at commercial fields, costing around NZ$100.
However, club members can receive amazing benefits, such as 20% to nearly 50% discounts on lift tickets and season passes, and in some club fields, a season pass can be cheaper than buying three one-day visitor tickets. In addition, there are many other perks, such as incredibly low member prices for lodge accommodations, school lessons and rental gear, the ability to reserve lounges and bars in rest houses, and discounted packages that include lift tickets, accommodation, meals, and rentals.
Also, once you become a club member, you can have a lot of fun interacting with other members. After enjoying a day of skiing, you can gather at the bar for drinks and a fun after-ski experience. There are various events during the season, and even in the summer there are opportunities to get together and do volunteer work and socialize. It feels similar to being part of a student or working club in Japan
Powder, terrain, extreme! A treasure trove of freeride
Photo: Craigieburn
However, the most striking appeal of Clubfield is its wild powder fields, which are the untouched snow-covered mountains of New Zealand's natural wilderness. Since they typically don't have snow groomers, the fields are always ungroomed. Despite the vast scale of the fields, there are hardly any gondolas or chairlifts, at most a few T-bars or rope tows. But that's more than enough to accommodate the number of guests... It's almost never crowded, and because there are so few people skiing, the slopes remain fresh, and you can carve your own first tracks as much as you want.
Also, because the ski resorts are located in basins and faces in high-altitude mountainous areas, there is no shortage of rich natural terrain and cliffs. Furthermore, a short hike from the end of the lifts or rope tows provides easy access to the vast backcountry. Deep powder rides, cliff jumps and extreme rides on steep slopes, cruising and touring on the wide open runs that stretch beyond the treeline...the possibilities for freeskiers are endless.
Among the endlessly appealing club fields, we've picked out some particularly popular ski resorts that are irresistible to STEEP readers. First, check out the YouTube videos. Then, be sure to take a look at the trail maps. You'll be sure to get a feel for the scale, fun, and unique culture of these resorts
Of course, you can go skiing from Japan and become a club member. If you are a little worried about going alone, there are travel agencies that run tours to the club fields for Japanese people, so it's a good idea to check them out
Major club fields on New Zealand's South Island
Craigieburn
Craigieburn is a ski resort like this
Photo: Craigieburn
Located a 90-minute drive from Christchurch, this is a very popular club field, along with Broken River. It's also known for being run and maintained by extremely passionate club members. The entire mountain is a hardcore environment for intermediate and advanced skiers. Craigieburn even goes so far as to declare that there are "zero percent" of beginner runs. Three high-performance rope towpaths take you to two ski areas with a 500m elevation difference
The diverse slopes, with their varied terrain, are truly exciting and challenging, and the vast scale of the terrain stretching out before you makes for an unparalleled skiing experience and level of satisfaction. Another major attraction is the tree riding, which is unique among New Zealand resorts. Extreme skiers, snowboarders, and professional riders from around the world come here for training and filming.
Anyone can become a club member. Discounts on lift passes and accommodations vary depending on the member's status.
Becoming a Base Member for $150 per year entitles you to a 35% discount on lift tickets and accommodation. Season passes are available for $450. Chill Travel Passes (5 days $475 | 7 days $645)
Located a 90-minute drive from Christchurch, Broken River is one of New Zealand's most unique club ski fields. It is managed and operated by members of the non-profit organization Broken River Ski Club. However, visitors are welcome even if they are not club members. Of course, guests from Japan are also very welcome.
Broken River is a hidden gem known to those in the know as one of New Zealand's finest off-piste areas, where you can enjoy areas with soft powder snow and extreme chutes, making it a hidden paradise for freeriders. It consists of two huge bowls, through which five rope tows are suspended.
Even though it's a club field, it has its own snow groomer and features a snow park and beautiful groomed runs that can be enjoyed by all levels. There's also a lodge on the mountain, so if you stay overnight you're guaranteed first-track access to the powder snow of the morning. Watch this video to see just how appealing it is
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season
Monday, June 20, 2024 - Early October
Base Town & Access
Methven (95 minutes by car) Christchurch (60 minutes by car)
Lift fees
Day ticket: $100 (non-member), $74 (member), Season pass: $800
Package etc
Lift ticket + accommodation package: $120~ 3 days of 1-day lifts + 2 nights accommodation (B&B) + 1 lesson: $500 Chill Travel Passes (5 days $475 | 7 days $645)
Fox Peak is located on the highest mountain in the surrounding mountain range, Fox Peak. The difference in elevation between the base and the rope toe top is 580m. It has an amazing variety of slopes, and you can slide freely in all directions using four rope toes. It's so much fun to watch the video
The off-piste slopes, which drop in from the ridge at 2,330m above sea level on the summit of the mountain, North Ridge, boast superb soft and deep "epic powder" that you can enjoy. And of course, there are no crowds, so you can always enjoy stress-free powder to your heart's content. In a ranking of New Zealand ski resorts by the world-famous overseas ski travel information site "POWDER HOUNDS," it was named "THE BEST of Empty Ski Resorts" in New Zealand, "in a good way."
Club members can purchase lift tickets and season passes at bargain prices. By the way, a one-day pass for non-members costs $80, while for club members it's only $30. Surprisingly, joining the club and getting a season pass is only $200! That's cheaper than buying a three-day one-day pass as a visitor... As a club member, you'll also get to help out with ski resort management once or twice a season, and you'll have lots of fun interacting with other members, not just in winter but in summer too. It's a club field with a friendly atmosphere, truly befitting a club system
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season
Scheduled to open in late July 2023 - Tuesday, October 10th
Base Town & Access
Fairlie (50 minutes by car) Christchurch (2 hours 20 minutes by car)
Lift fees
1-day pass: $80 (non-member), $30 (member). Chill Travel Passes: 5 days $475 | 7 days $645.
Located a 90-minute drive from Christchurch, this club field prioritizes creating a fun and family-friendly environment, and is particularly known for its friendly atmosphere. Unusually for a club field, it has two T-bars, providing convenient access to the entire mountain for skiing. There is also a rope tow for beginners, which actually leads to vast off-piste areas.
At the bottom of the mountain are two lodges, The Day Lodge and Snowline Lodge, where you can stay for a week at a time. It is a popular spot for club members to spend their New Zealand winter holidays with their families.
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season
Opening in late July 2024 - scheduled for October
Base Town & Access
Springfield (60 minutes by car) Christchurch Airport (90 minutes by car)
Lift fees
1-day ticket $105 (non-member) | Season pass (1 Apr – 30 Sept) $695 | Road trip/2 days 1 night $359 | Chill Travel Passes (5 days $475 | 7 days $645)
Located between Christchurch and Queenstown, accessible via Highway 8, this resort boasts a reputation for offering fantastic dry powder at a peak elevation of 2,030m. The expansive, three-kilometer-wide field boasts a triple lift, T-bars, and platters, making it a rare find for a club field. The wide, spacious slopes are perfect for families with children or school guests taking lessons. The breathtaking views of Lake Tekapo and Mt. Cook in the distance, combined with the relaxed, homey atmosphere, are also appealing
If you hike up from the end of the T-bar, 820m from the bottom, you can approach the summit of Mt. Dobson at an elevation of 2,110m. From there, it goes without saying that it's powder heaven. With ample transportation capacity and few guests, the slopes are always empty, allowing you to carve out as many first tracks as you like. You're guaranteed an unforgettable powder experience
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season
Opening July to October 2024 (planned)
Base Town & Access
Lake Tekapo (45 minutes by car) Methven (2 hours 10 minutes by car)
Lift fees
1-day ticket: $115 Season pass: $640 Chill Travel Passes (5 days $475 | 7 days $645)
With a peak elevation of 2,096m, Mt. Olympus is a special club field often referred to as "God's Playground," and is considered the soul of New Zealand freeriding. Although the patrol-managed area is a compact 60 hectares, 90% of it is expert-friendly, suitable for intermediate to advanced skiers, and just looking at the trail map gives you a sense of the extreme gradients on every slope. Four rope tows are in place, providing excellent mobility. A short hike from the end of Top Tow leads to an even more vast off-piste area. While
Mt. Olympus is far smaller than nearby Craigiburn, its extreme specifications are in no way inferior; in fact, its concentrated excitement is said to be exceptional. It is a freeriding mecca that consistently ranks at the top of the "THE BEST of Powder" and "THE BEST of Extreme Train" rankings of New Zealand ski resorts by the globally renowned overseas ski travel information site "POWDER HOUNDS."
The "MOUNT OLYMPUS FREERIDE OPEN" is held every year, and watching videos of it on YouTube will give you a clear picture of the wild and extreme nature of Mt. Olympus. Be sure to check it out.
Even if you live overseas, you can become a club member, but there are hurdles to joining, such as the requirement to participate in Work Party Day in the summer, the need for recommendations from at least two club members, and a minimum number of ski days during the season. Of course, visitors can also use the club if they are skiing overseas. There are also lodges where you can stay on the mountain
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season
Opening in late July 2024 - scheduled for October
Base Town & Access
Christchurch (90 minutes by car) , Methven (20 minutes by car)
