Broken River ski area is only a 90 minute drive and 100 km west of Christchurch.
It boasts some of the best off-piste, soft-snow skiing and snowboarding in the country, with terrain for all levels of skiers and boarders. BR also offers on-mountain accommodation, uncrowded powder basins and chutes. Plus access via an alpine rail up through picturesque beech forest.
Tows: 3 high-capacity rope tows, 2 learner rope tows
Terrain Park: Natural lips & bowls, rails
Vertical: 500m
Skiable Area: 175 hectares – with excellent hiking & touring
Lift Accessed Vertical Drop: 450m
Beginner: 5%
Intermediate: 50%
Advanced: 45%
Broken River Ski Area is one of New Zealand’s unique Club fields, run and maintained by Broken River Ski Club members. They are a small non-profit organisation with an excellent terrain park, snowmaking and grooming. They’re open to the public. You don’t need to be a member to ski there, so up you go! They’d love to see you on their slopes.
The ski area is only a 90-minute drive and 100 km west of Christchurch. It is located in the Craigieburn Range, right in the heart of the Southern Alps of New Zealand.
Broken River is easily accessible by car, but please carry chains for your vehicle – even for a four-wheel drive. The road is unsuitable for campervans – please park at the entrance near State Highway 73. Please check the daily snow report for road conditions and ensure you carry chains.
Getting to the ski area is something a little bit different. The Tyndall Tramway, a 4-minute ride to the ticket office and accommodation, accesses it. During the ride, you’ll be surrounded by native forests and spectacular views of surrounding mountains and Castle Hill Basin – like nothing you’ve ever seen!
Travelling is an amazing way to expand your horizons. Each journey brings something unique, offering lessons that help you grow, adapt, and appreciate the world from different perspectives.
