With the heat wave in Japan, the snow season is in full swing in New Zealand on the other side of the world in the southern hemisphere. It's the end of July, and it's finally entering the peak season. At this time, the natural snow [Club Field] ski resort, which does not have a snow machine, will finally open. In contrast to the [commercial fields] that are like ski resorts in Japan, here we will introduce a unique [club field]. What kind of ski resort is that? 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. Commercial ski fields are ski resorts that are operated for profit. Ski resorts are managed by companies, etc., commercial facilities where maintenance is done and various services are provided, like Japanese ski resorts. Lift tickets have skyrocketed in recent years, and a one-day ticket for a commercial field is quite expensive at NZ$120-160. (1NZ$ = 87.55 yen as of July 24)
On the other hand, a club field is a local private ski resort operated by a local membership club with membership fees and donations, not for commercial purposes, and operated for club members.
However, most of the club fields also accept general visitors, and if you pay a usage fee, you can use it on a daily basis. Few places have snowmobiles or snow machines, and the wildness of the area is overwhelming, as the vast snowfields of the mountains are simply roped for people to enter and play. The lift ticket is cheaper than the commercial field, around NZ$100. However, if you are a club member, you can get a discount of 20% to nearly half the price of lift tickets and season tickets.
In addition, lodge lodging in the field, school lessons and rental gear are at exceptional member prices, the rest house lounge and bar can be reserved, and packages such as lift tickets, accommodation, meals and rentals can be used at a low price. Also, when I become a club member, I enjoy interacting with other members. After enjoying skiing, people gather at the bar for a drinking party and a fun après-ski. There are various events during the season, and even in the summer there are opportunities to get together and do volunteer work and interact. I wonder if it feels like belonging to a student or social circle in Japan.
Powder, Terrain, Extreme! Freeride treasure trove
Photo: Craigieburn
But above all, the most outstanding attraction of the club field is the wild powder field that opens the snowy mountain of New Zealand's nature as it is.
I usually don't have a snow compactor, so the field is always uncompacted. Despite the vast scale of the field, there are almost no gondolas or chair lifts, and at most there are only a few T-bars or rope toes. However, there are only more than enough guests... There are almost no crowds and few people skating, so the slopes stay fresh and you can carve as many fast tracks as you want. In addition, since the basins and faces of high-altitude mountainous areas are used as ski resorts, there is no shortage of rich natural topography and cliffs.
Also, from the end of the lift or rope toe, you can easily access the vast backcountry with a short hike. Deep powder rides, cliff jumps, extreme rides on steep slopes, cruising and tour skiing on large open barns beyond the forest line... the fun for free skiers is endless. Club fields that are full of such core charms, especially popular ski resorts that are irresistible to STEEP readers, have been picked up. You should watch the video on You tube first. Also, take a look at the trail map. You must be able to feel 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
I want to read together
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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 2023
Basetown & Access
Christchurch (1.5 hours by car)
lift fee
1 Day Pass $99 (Non-Member) $65 (Member) Season Pass (Base Member) $450
join club member
For $150 a year, become a Base member and receive a 32.5% discount on lift tickets and accommodation. The Season Pass is now available for $450.
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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, July 25, 2023 to early October
Basetown & Access
Methven (95 minutes by car) Christchurch (60 minutes by car)
lift fee
1 day pass $105 (non-member) $74 (member) season pass: $800
common path, etc.
Lift ticket + rental package 1 day $192~ (18+ adults) 3 days $456
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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)
lift fee
1-day ticket $80 (non-member) $30 (member) Season pass: $200 (members only: join club + season pass set)
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90 minutes drive from Christchurch.
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 2023
Basetown & Access
Springfield (60 minutes by car) Christchurch Airport (90 minutes by car)
lift fee
1-day ticket $95 (non-member) Season pass: $375 (members only: join club + season pass set)
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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 2023 to October
Basetown & Access
Lake Tekapo (45 minutes by car) Methven (2 hours 10 minutes by car)
lift fee
1-day ticket $106 *If you purchase from Monday to Friday, you can get 50% off the regular price on Mondays, 40% on Tuesdays, 30% on Wednesdays, 20% on Thursdays, and 10% on Fridays (the longer you stay, the more you save) Season Pass: $ 535
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With a top elevation of 2,096m, it is a club field with a special feeling that is also called "God's playground" and is also called the soul (soul) of New Zealand freeriding.
The patrol manages a compact 60-hectare ski area, but 90% of it is expert-friendly for intermediate and advanced skiers. Four rope toes are hung, and mobility is outstanding. A short hike from the end of Top Tow takes you into a larger off-piste area. Mt.Olympus is far behind the nearby Craigiburn in terms of size, but the height of the extreme specs is by no means inferior, and it is said that the concentrated fun is exceptional. It is a sacred place for freeriding, ranking in the top rankings of New Zealand ski resorts "THE BEST of Powder" and "THE BEST of Extreme Train" by the world-famous overseas ski travel information site "POWDER HOUNDS".
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 2023
Basetown & Access
Christchurch (90 minutes by car) Methven (20 minutes by car)
