Craigieburn Valley Ski Area is a club skifield located in the Southern Alps of New Zealand's South Island, about 104 km west from Christchurch.
It is situated on the northwestern end of the Craigieburn Range and is known for its wide open powder bowls, steep narrow chutes, and infamous 600 meter vertical drop in the Middle Basin. The resort features a vertical range of 1308–1811 m, 400 acres of skiable area, and 3 fast rope tows. It caters only to intermediate and advanced skiers, and there is no terrain for beginner skiers. Craigieburn is internationally famous for its steep terrain, with 45% of the terrain rated as advanced.
Craigieburn Valley Ski Area is completely off-piste terrain with no grooming, and there are no ski rental facilities on the mountain. The ski area requires a towbelt and nutcracker, which can be obtained at the base area. Some people prefer to use a climbing harness instead. Visitors should bring some old gloves or glove protectors for use with the tow ropes. Craigieburn Valley’s terrain is varied and exciting with challenging steeps and quality snowfall. Storms that are on an easterly storm track typically drop the most powder. Craigieburn is internationally famous for its many backcountry access points and ski-touring opportunities. Short trips include the Castle Area, North Middle Basin, and Mt. Manson.
Craigieburn has two accommodation lodges, the main Koroheke lodge, which has 6-bed dorm rooms, and Matuhi, which has private rooms. There is also a bar in Koroheke lodge, the normal meeting place after a day on the field. The services available during the day are at the day lodge located near the top of the mountain. There you can find hot food options and fresh coffee, and it is a warm spot to stop off with a great view of the ski area. Craigieburn Valley Ski Area is situated only 1.5 hrs (110km) from Christchurch on highway 73. Visitors are welcome all season, but there is no gear hire. It is also the base for ski touring expeditions when conditions permit. It is immediately adjacent to the Broken River Ski Area, with which it shares a ski pass system. Skiing between the two is possible with backcountry ski touring involved.
In summary, Craigieburn Valley Ski Area is a must-visit destination for intermediate and advanced skiers who are looking for a challenging and exciting skiing experience. The resort features a wide range of terrain, including powder bowls, steep narrow chutes, and backcountry access points. Visitors can stay at one of the two accommodation lodges, and there are food options available at the day lodge. However, there are no ski rental facilities on the mountain, and visitors should bring their own gear.