Watch the sunrise from your room, enjoy breakfast, clip on your skis and head for the lifts. Mt Cheeseman has to be the ultimate in user-friendly club fields.

You can start the day in this way at the Snowline Lodge. Ski holiday packages include bed, 3 meals, lift pass and lessons at a reasonable daily tariff. Guests assist staff with light duties. There is also a backpacker option available at Forest Lodge, which is located half way up the 12 km unsealed private access road. Here you can ice skate under the stars on a nearby skating rink. Each lodge includes a fully equipped kitchen, a drying room, large lounge and 6-bed bunkrooms.

The field is situated in the beautiful Craigieburn Range just 1½ hours drive away from Christchurch on Highway 73 to Arthur’s Pass. Mt Cheeseman is the second closest ski area to Christchurch (after Porters Pass). The field has a July to October season and is serviced by two Doppelmayr T-Bar lifts and a grip tow giving access to a variety of groomed slopes and off-piste areas. The first lift carries you over intermediate slopes and natural and man-made snowboard terrain. The second goes to the top at around 1,850 metres where you will be challenged by the deep powder skiing of Mt Cockayne and A-Basin. From the summit there are amazing views along the entire Craigieburn Range.

Ski and snowboard hire is available on the field, and food and drinks can be purchased in the day lodge café. Snow ratings are 15% beginners, 50% intermediate and 35% advanced. An internationally qualified ski school provides ski or board instruction at very competitive hourly rates.

The laid-back, relaxed style of this club field makes it easy to join in with après-ski activities and enjoy every moment from sunrise to sunset.