Listings
South Island - Porter Heights
Porter Heights is the closest ski are to Christchurch, only 96km from Christchurch International Airport. Porter Heights is one giant terrain park! We have tons of hits and bumps, and wide open pistes for carving too!
Rising to nearly 2000 metres, Porter Heights offers spectacular views of the Southern Alpes with Lake Coleridge sparkling below. Good natural snow, regular snowmaking and extensive grooming ensure the terrain is always in top condition. There are gentle slopes for beginners, cruising runs and trails for intermediates, legendary challanges for advanced like Big Mama & Bluff Face. Big Mama with 620 vertical metres and is longest and steepest straight run down in the Southern Hesisphere. Come and check it out and you won't stop raving about it!!!!
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Description:
Porter Heights lifts run up two distinct valleys. It has ample beginners terrain, with two beginner tows just above the beginner area. There is plenty of on-piste for the intermediate to advanced.
The off-piste is dominated by two faces, Big Mama which towers above the true right of the base area, and Bluff Face which towers above the true left. At 620m, Big Mama boastes one of the largest verticle drops in one lift-accessed run in New Zealand. The avalanche hazard at Porter Heights is extreme, assessment and control take priority, and the buildings are all built to withstand the results.
Location:
Travelling west on Highway 73, follow the signposts to Arthurs Pass. The Porter Heights turnoff is well labelled on the left, about 10km from the top of the Porters Pass. The access road is a short unsealed road which winds its way up to the car park.
Travelling west on Highway 73, follow the signposts to Arthurs Pass. The Porter Heights turnoff is well labelled on the left, about 10km from the top of the Porters Pass. The access road is a short unsealed road which winds its way up to the car park.
Nearest Town Springfield
Distance (km) 41
Nearest Airport Christchurch
Distance (km) 112
Annual Snow Fall (m)
Season Opens Early July
Season Closes Late September
Skiable Area (Hectares)
Total Number of Lifts 3
Base Altitude (m) 1570
Highest Altitude (m) 1840
Beginner 15%
Intermediate 50%
Advanced 35%
Chairlifts 0
T-Bars 3
Platters 0
Rope Tows 1
Ski School Yes
Ski Hire Yes
Chain Hire
Groomers Yes
Half Pipe
Terrain Park
Cafe Yes
Bar Yes
Accommodation on Ski Area Yes
Contact Details:
Porter Heights Ski Area Ltd
E-mail: ski@porterheights.co.nz
Phone: +64 3 3184002
Fax: +64 3 3184008
Mail: PO BOX 15, Springfield
