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Temple Basin Ski Area

Temple Basin is a true alpine environment on the Main divide of the southern Alps at the heart of Arthur’s Pass National Park. It faces north and offers long sunny days and over 320 hectares of skiable terrain with a vertical rise of 430 metreS.

Temple Basin Ski Area covers a great variety of terrain spread over four separate basins. There are gentle slopes for complete beginners, adrenalin pumping challenges for the expert and everything in between. Three rope tows and one beginners fixed grip town provide the lift. Floodlit slopes make night skiing a pleasure. Two modern lodges offer bunk room style accommodation for 120 people, only metres away from the tows. Ski and snowboard hire and expert instruction are available on the mountain. You do not have to belong to Temple Basin Ski Club to ski there and stay in the lodge, but membership does give you definite advantages. Fees for both accommodation and lift passes are lower for members and participation in volunteer activity and the social life of the club is great fun.

The Temple Basin car park is beside State Highway 73, 4kms west of the Arthur’s Pass Village. From it a well defined walk track takes you up to the Lodges and the field. The walk takes 45 minutes in good conditions and gives you wonderful views of the Pass and the surrounding mountains. A free baggage lift carries your gear up for you.

As a skier or snowboarder coming to Temple Basin you have a number of different options. You may come as casual or weekend visitors, fitting in your mountain experience with your other commitments. Weekend bookings are nearly always available. However, on weekdays, because Ski-Weeks or other large groups may be staying on the mountain, beds will not always be available. It is essential to check with the Temple basin Booking Office before you set out. Click here for information on Temple Basin Ski Area's events.

The New Zealand Snow Safety Institute is based at Temple Basin Ski Area and runs a series of courses throughout the year on aspects of climbing, mountaineering and mountain safety. Some of the courses are for skiers, climbers and trampers who want to improve their understanding of the mountain environment in order to be safer in it. Other courses are for experienced skiers who wish to train as ski patrollers and gain ski industry qualifications.

Temple Basin Ski Area
P +64 3 377 7788 | F +64 3 377 7798 | E [email protected]  
PO Box 1228, Christchurch, New Zealand
www.templebasin.co.nz