Whether you’re a seasoned skiing family or happy to embrace the cold, make the most of the frosty days with snow play near Christchurch.
Unfortunately, we tend to get frost without the fun of building Frosty the Snowman here in our back gardens, but despite the lack of snowfall, there are plenty of places to experience snow play near Christchurch. With purpose-built play areas and family-friendly ski fields within an hour and a half drive away, there’s plenty of incentive to head off on a day trip or long weekend. And, if we’re lucky, we may be able to stop along the way for some roadside snowball fights. So, if you’re hoping to take the kids to see snow this winter, read on for our top picks near (or as near as we can get!) to Christchurch.
Read more: Our Favourite Nature Playgrounds, Parks and Sensory Gardens for Christchurch Kids
Popular ski fields and snow play near Christchurch:
Note: Depending on snowfall, different ski fields open on varying days throughout the season. Always check before going as to whether it is currently open and operating.
Porters Alpine Resort
Hailing as the closest snow play near Christchurch, Porters Alpine Resort is the perfect spot for enjoying the snow and learning how to ski or snowboard. The play and tobogganing area is open throughout the season between 9-4pm and is ideal for introducing kids to snow with plenty of space for building snowmen, making snow angels, and tobogganing. Entrance is $15 per person, $7.50 for supervising adults, and $39 for a family package (2 adults, 2 kids). Toboggan rental is $15 (or you can bring your own). Warm up at the neighbouring lodge with snacks and hot drinks before heading home.
Check the Porters snow report before heading up to see if chains are needed for your car. Tickets can be bought at the lodge or in advance online.
Drive time: Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes from Christchurch Central City
Porters Alpine Resort, 8127 Main West Coast Road, Castle Hill, www.portersalpineresort.com
Mt Hutt Ski Area
Canterbury’s Mt Hutt is a top spot for families looking to enjoy skiing and snow play near Christchurch. With ski lessons available for kids starting at age 4, it’s perfect for beginners. The friendly instructors make learning fun and easy, helping kids get confident on the slopes. Lessons start at $175 for a full-day group session and little ones under 5 are also given a free lift pass.
Drive time: Approximately 1 hour 40 minutes from Christchurch Central City
Mt Hutt Ski Area, Mt Hutt Station Road, Mt Hutt, Methven, www.mthutt.co.nz
Hanmer Springs Ski Area
Not far from Hanmer Springs, Hanmer Springs Ski Area is family-friendly and offers groomed runs and off-piste options for all skill levels For those who prefer to cosy up with a cuppa, the Day Lodge lounge provides a great view of the slopes, warm drinks, food and toys – with the beginner’s area right next to it. This area is easily accessible on foot, and there’s a flat area outside the day hut where young children can play, build, and toboggan. For those new to skiing, the beginner package includes skis, boots, poles or a snowboard, boots hire, a one-hour group lesson, and use of the learners’ area all day. We love that you also have the option to purchase a parents’ pass that allows you to have turns skiing and looking after your kiddo, without having to buy a pass each.
Ski packages start from $120 for children and $155 for adults. Tabogans can be rented hourly for $15, $25 for a half day or $35 for the full day. No need for lessons? Children 10 years and under with paying skiing adults, can ski for free!
Drive time: Approximately 1 hour 50 minutes from Christchurch Central City
Hanmer Springs Ski Area, Mt St Patrick, Hanmer Springs, www.skihanmer.co.nz
Tekapo Springs
Tekapo Springs has opened a brand-new snow play area this season where tots (or teens!) can play in an igloo, build snowmen, make snow angels or slide down the hill on a toboggan, the snow play area is open 11am – 5pm throughout the week and 10-5pm weekends through to October with a child’s all-day ticket costing $10 and under three are free. For the more adventurous, book an hour at the Snow Tube Park ($22 for ages 3-15) which features a 150-metre snowy slope that you can whizz down with a magic carpet taking you right back to the top. If you’re staying for the weekend, check out the ice skating rink, mini golf and of course, the steamy hot pools.
Drive time: Approximately 3 hours from Christchurch Central City
Tekapo Springs, 300 Lakeside Drive, Lake Tekapo, www.tekaposprings.co.nz
Roundhill Ski Area
Roundhill Ski Area in Tekapo is a great spot for families learning to ski. The gentle slopes are perfect for beginners and kids, with a dedicated learner area to help them get started. There’s also a terrain park for adventurous children looking for more excitement. With no need to book, first-timer packages are available for adults and children, with prices for those under 17 years old starting from $99. This includes a beginner lift pass, rental equipment and a 1.5-hour lesson.
Drive time: Approximately 3 hours 40 minutes from Christchurch Central City
Roundhill Ski Area, 2544 Lilybank Road, Tekapo, www.roundhill.co.nz
Mt Cheeseman Ski Area
With the ability to drive directly to the ski area, visiting Mt Cheeseman for a day on the slopes is fuss-free. Perfect for families of varying abilities, there is a learner tow right outside the wrap-around day lodge and two T-bars to take you to the top. Beginners lift, group lesson and rental packages start from $75 and for those who are no strangers to skiing, children under 10 do not need to pay for a lift pass.
Drive time: Approximately 1 hour 50 minutes from Christchurch Central City
Mount Cheeseman Ski Field Road, Mount Cheeseman, Castle Hill, www.mtcheeseman.co.nz
Mt Dobson Ski Area
Roughly three hours from Christchurch, “Mt Dobson is all about great snow, varied terrain and views for miles and miles.” The first-timers package is perfect to get started and includes a lift pass, ski rental and a one-hour lesson with an instructor. For those preferring to kick back in the warmth, The Foote Rest Café serves great coffee and Fairlie bakehouse pies. Children under five ski for free, and there is also a purpose-built toboggan area (with toboggans available for hire) for those who prefer to take it easy.
Drive time: Approximately 3 hours from Christchurch Central City
Mt Dobson Ski Area, 1274 Fairlie-Tekapo Road, Burkes Pass, www.mtdobson.co.nz
Mt Lyford Ski Area
Perfect for entry-level skiers with its gentle terrain, children under seven can ski for free at Mt Lyford, with parents also able to grab a parents’ pass to tag team childcare and a day on the slopes. The lodge is next to the learner’s slopes with packages starting from $85 for children under 7, including a full day pass, one-hour ski lesson and equipment hire.
Not planning on hitting the slopes this time? For $30 an hour/tube, you can also whiz around the tubing area towing little ones around or cruising down hills.
Drive time: Approximately 2 hours 10 minutes from Christchurch Central City
Mt Lyford Ski Area, Mount Lyford Forest Drive, Mt, Mount Lyford Village, www.mtlyford.co.nz
Snow play near Christchurch (where to stop along the way):
We’ve crowdsourced some of your favourite spots to see and stop for snow play near Christchurch. Although these aren’t official places for snow play, there is often enough snow to enjoy during winter. We recommend checking out Canterbury Snow and Weather Watch on Facebook or this website before loading the kids into the car to check if enough snow has fallen in the area.
Note: Google road closures and severe weather warnings as some roads can become too dangerous to drive on at certain times of the year.
Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee that there will be snowfall in the below areas, however, according to our #nooknz community these are the most popular spots to drive around searching for snow play near Christchurch:
- Lake Lyndon
- Lake Coleridge
- Porters Pass
- Arthurs Pass
- Castle Hill
- Port Hills – yep, if we’re lucky we can play in the snow up in the hills close to home!
Featured image courtesy of Unsplash, image #1 property of nook NZ, image #2 credited to Tekapo Springs via Facebook, image #3 courtesy of Unsplash.
