Skifield gems abound online

Most people will be familiar with the large skifields, such as Coronet Peak, Mt Hutt, The Remarkables and Cardrona in the South Island, and Mt Ruapehu in the North.

But that is far from all of them. A number of smaller and out-of-the-way fields and snow adventures are just a click away.

Here are some samples:

Craigieburn Valley Ski Area, - "Steep, deep and cheap ... wide-open powder bowls, steep narrow chutes ... and when you come off the hill at the end of a big day, kick back in the bar at our cosy alpine lodge."

Porter Heights - "Spectacular views of the Southern Alps with Lake Coleridge sparkling below."

The Cheeseman - "A southeasterly facing bowl of two halves, the groomed piste and the ungroomed ... mostly intermediate terrain ... a small but good learners' area, and plenty of off-piste steeps which can be traversed to."

Temple Basin - "A true alpine environment on the Main Divide of the Southern Alps at the heart of Arthurs Pass National Park."

Ohau - "Endowed with reliable snowfall and fine weather. From the 9.6km access road, the views up the valley to Mt Cook and overlooking the lake are spectacular."

Rainbow Ski Area - "Overlooking Nelson Lakes National Park with its extensive beech forest and beautiful Lake Rotoiti, the views from the top of the chairlift are spectacular. Wide, uncrowded slopes and well-groomed trails provide superb terrain for beginners and intermediates, while advanced skiers can challenge themselves in the high powder runs and chutes."

Hanmer Springs Ski Area - "Just 40 minutes by car or shuttle from the alpine thermal resort of Hanmer Springs ... ideal for apres-ski relaxing ... lots of snow and fabulous skiing for all stages of skiers."

Mt Dobson - "Located on the main tourist route between Christchurch and Queenstown and is close to Lake Tekapo ... closest town is Fairlie ... at the base of our lifts is the highest alpine carpark in New Zealand ... largest, sunniest learner/intermediate slope in New Zealand ... natural snow for all to enjoy, natural half-pipe - a must to experience."

Alpine Guides heli-skiing terrain - "In the Arrowsmith and Ragged Ranges ... long runs and unbeatable scenery ... among the highest peaks bordering Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park ... ski the Tasman: a unique ski day cruising down NZ's longest glacier."

Harris Mountains heli-skiing terrain - "More than 400 runs from 200-plus peaks in seven separate mountain ranges covering over 3000 sq kmsquare kilometres ... on the famous Harris Mountains and Buchanans Range, stretching from the Remarkables in the south to the McKerrow Range in the north."

Links:


NZski

Cardrona

Whakapapa

snow.co.nz

Heliski

Craigieburn

Porter Heights

Mt Cheeseman

Temple Basin

Ohau

Rainbow

Hanmer Springs Ski Area

Mt Dobson

Alpine Guides heli-skiing

Harris mountains heli-skiing

www.nzherald.co.nz/travel