While Japan is experiencing extreme heat, snow season is in full swing in New Zealand in the southern hemisphere, on the other side of the world. At this time of year, Club Field, a ski resort with natural snow that does not have snow machines, is finally open. In contrast to [commercial fields] like ski resorts in Japan, the one we will introduce here is a unique [club field]. What kind of ski resort is that? Please check it out.
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Clubfield and its charm
Photo: Craigieburn
There are two types of ski resorts in New Zealand, depending on how they are operated: commercial ski fields and club ski fields. A commercial ski field is a ski resort that is operated for commercial purposes.A ski resort is managed by a company, etc., and is a commercial facility that is well-maintained and provides a variety of services, such as ski resorts in Japan. By the way. Lift tickets have risen in price in recent years, and a one-day ticket to Commercial Field costs NZ$120-160, which is quite expensive. (1NZ$=87.29 yen as of 8/4)
On the other hand, a club field is a local, private ski resort that is not for profit, but is operated by a local membership club using membership fees and donations for the benefit of club members.
However, most club fields are open to the general public, and you can use them on a daily basis for a fee. Very few places have snowmobiles or snowmaking machines, and the wildness of the area is overwhelming, with the atmosphere being just ropes strung over the vast snowfields of the pristine mountains for people to come and play. Lift tickets are also cheaper than Commercial Field, around NZ$100. However, if you are a club member, you can get surprising benefits, such as discounts of 20% to nearly half price on lift tickets and season tickets, and depending on the club field, a season pass is cheaper than buying a one-day visitor ticket for three days. Sometimes it happens. In addition, you can get accommodation at the lodge in the field, school lessons, and rental gear at an exceptional member price, reserve the lounge and bar at the rest house, and enjoy packages that include lift tickets, accommodations, meals, and rentals at low prices. There are also lots of perks.
Also, when you become a club member, it's really fun to interact with other members. After enjoying the skis, we gather at the bar for drinks and a fun après-ski experience. There are various events held during the season, and even in the summer there are opportunities to get together and do volunteer work and socialize. In Japan, it feels like belonging to a student or working club.
Powder, Terrain, Extreme! Freeride treasure trove
Photo: Craigieburn
However, the most outstanding attraction of the club field lies in the wild powder field, which is an open area of New Zealand's natural snowy mountains.
Since most people don't have a snow compaction truck, there is always uncompacted snow in the field. Despite the vast scale of the field, there are almost no gondolas or chairlifts, and at most there are only a few T-bars or rope toes. However, there are only enough guests... It's not crowded and there aren't many people skiing, so the slopes stay fresh and you can carve as many fast tracks as you like. Also, since the basins and faces of high-altitude mountain areas are used as ski resorts, there is no shortage of rich natural terrain and cliffs. Also, from the end of the lift or rope toe, you can easily access vast backcountry areas with a short hike. Deep powder rides, cliff jumps and extreme rides on steep slopes, cruising and tour skiing on large open barns that extend beyond the treeline...the fun for freeskiers is endless.
Among club fields with endless core appeal, we have picked out some of the most popular ski resorts that are irresistible to STEEP readers. First of all, you should watch the video on You tube. Then, be sure to take a look at the trail map. You'll definitely get a feel for its scale, fun, and unique culture.
From Japan, of course, you can go skiing and become a club member. If you feel a little uneasy about it yourself, there are travel agencies that offer tours for Japanese people to Club Field, so it's a good idea to check it out.
Major club fields in the South Island of NZ
Craigieburn｜Craigieburn
Craigieburn is such a ski resort
Photo: Craigieburn
90 minutes drive from Christchurch. A very popular club field along with Broken River. It is also famous for being run and managed by extremely passionate club members. The entire mountain is 100% a hardcore environment for intermediate and advanced users. Craigieburn goes so far as to profess ``zero percent'' for beginner courses. Three high-performance rope toes carry you to two skiing areas with an altitude difference of 500m.
The diverse slopes with varied topography are truly exciting and challenging, and as they continue to spread out in front of you on a vast scale, the response and satisfaction are overwhelming.
It is also a big attraction that you can enjoy tree riding, which can be said to be the only resort in New Zealand. Extreme skiers, snowboarders and professional riders from all over the world come here for training and photography. Anyone can join the club. Discount rates for lift passes and accommodation facilities vary depending on the member's status (species).
■ INFO
Season
Early July to mid-October 2024
Basetown & Access
Christchurch (1.5 hours by car)
lift fee
1 day ticket $110 (Non-member) $65 (Member) Season ticket (Base Member) $450
join club member
Become a Base member for $150 per year and receive 35% off lift tickets and accommodations. Season passes are available for purchase for $450. Chill Travel Passes (5days $475 | 7days $645)
One of New Zealand's most unique club fields, 90 minutes drive from Christchurch.
It is operated and managed by members of the NPO Broken River Ski Club. However, visitors can use it without becoming a club member. Of course, guests from Japan are also welcome. Broken River is known as a hidden paradise for freeride enthusiasts, with some of New Zealand's finest off-piste terrain, soft powder snow and extreme chutes. It consists of two huge bowls with five rope toes.
In addition, even though it is a club field, it has a snow groomer, a snow park that can be enjoyed by all levels, and a beautiful grooming barn. There is also lodge accommodation on top of the mountain, so if you stay there, you'll get a fast-track guarantee for the first powder in the morning. If you watch this video, the charm is obvious.
■ INFO
Season
Monday, June 20, 2024 - Early October
Basetown & Access
Methven (95 minutes by car) Christchurch (60 minutes by car)
lift fee
1-day ticket $100 (non-members) $74 (members) Season pass: $800
Fox Peak sits on top of the highest mountain in the surrounding mountain range, Fox Peak. The altitude difference between the base and the rope toe top is 580m. It has an amazing variety of slopes, and you can slide around freely using four rope toes. The fun is very convincing if you watch the video.
At the top of the mountain, from an altitude of 2,330m, the off-piste that drops in from the NORTH RIDGE along the ridge is superb, and you can enjoy the soft and deep "epic powder". And, of course, there are no crowds, so you can always enjoy powder without stress. In the ranking of New Zealand ski resorts by the world-famous overseas ski travel information site "POWDER HOUNDS", it shines as "THE BEST of the open ski resorts" in New Zealand "in a good way".
Club members can purchase lift tickets and season tickets at a discount. By the way, non-members are $80 for a day pass, while club members are $30. Surprisingly join club member + season pass for only $200! It's cheaper than buying a 1-day ticket for 3 days as a visitor... As a club member, once or twice during the season, I get to help with the operation and maintenance of the ski resort. It's a club field full of friendly atmosphere, just like a club system.
■ INFO
Season
Scheduled to open late July 2023-Tuesday, October 10, 2023
Basetown & Access
Fairlie (50 minutes by car) Christchurch (2 hours 20 minutes by car)
Among the club fields, it is known for its "fun!" The club field has two T-bars, which is rare, and you can access the entire mountain, which is very convenient for skating. There is also a rope toe for beginners, but in fact you can enter a vast off-piste from there. Bottom has two lodges, The Day Lodge and Snowline Lodge, where you can stay on a weekly basis. It is crowded with club members spending their winter holidays in New Zealand with their families.
■ INFO
Season
Scheduled to open from late July to October 2024
Basetown & Access
Springfield (60 minutes by car) Christchurch Airport (90 minutes by car)
lift fee
1 day pass $105 (non-members) | Season pass (1 Apr – 30 Sept) $695 Road trip/2 days 1 night $359 Chill Travel Passes (5days $475 | 7days $645)
Located between Christchurch and Queenstown, approached via Highway 8. It has a reputation for enjoying fantastic dry powder brought by the top altitude of 2,030m. The field, which has a width of 3 km, covers the entire mountain with triple lifts, T-bars, and platters, which are rare in club fields. The wide and spacious slopes are perfect for families with children and guests who are taking lessons at the school. The breathtaking beauty of Lake Tekapo and Mt.Cook in the distance, along with the relaxed and homely atmosphere, are also attractive.
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 altitude of 2,110m. Needless to say, it is powder heaven from there. The transportation capacity is perfect, and there are not many guests, so the slope is always rattling, and you can carve as many fast tracks as you want. It is guaranteed that you will have an unforgettable powder experience.
■ INFO
Season
Scheduled to open from July 2024 to October 2024
Basetown & Access
Lake Tekapo (45 minutes by car) Methven (2 hours 10 minutes by car)
lift fee
1 day ticket $115 Season Pass: $640 Chill Travel Passes (5days $475 | 7days $645)
The top altitude is 2,096m, and it is a special club field that is called ``God's Playground'' and is also said to be the soul of New Zealand freeride.
The area managed by Patrol is a compact 60 hectares, but 90% of it is expert-friendly with intermediate to advanced skiers, and just by looking at the trail map you can imagine that every slope is perfectly sloped. It has four rope toes and has excellent mobility. From the end of Top Tow, it's a short hike into an even larger off-piste area. Mt.Olympus is far behind the nearby Craigiburn in size, but it is said to be on par with its extreme specs, and is said to be on a different level in terms of concentrated fun.
It is a sacred place for freeride, ranking at the top of the New Zealand ski resort rankings ``THE BEST of POWDER'' and ``THE BEST of EXTREME TRAIN'' by the world-famous overseas ski travel information site ``POWDER HOUNDS.'' The ``MOUNT OLYMPUS FREERIDE OPEN'' is held every year, and if you watch the Youtube video, you can clearly see the wild extreme field of Mt.Olympus. Please check it out.
Even if you live overseas, you can become a club member, but there are hurdles to joining, such as the obligation to participate in the Work Party Day in the summer, the need to be recommended by two or more club members, and the minimum number of ski days required during the season. Of course, it is possible to use it as a visitor for overseas skiing. There are also lodges where you can stay in the mountains.
■ INFO
Season
Scheduled to open from late July to October 2024
Basetown & Access
Christchurch (90 minutes by car) Methven (20 minutes by car)
