Broken River Cheeseman Craigieburn Hanmer Springs Mt Olympus Temple Basin

Ski & Board Rental

Grooming

On-Mtn Accom

Instruction

Night Skiing

Snack Shop/Canteen

Alcohol Available

Ski/Board Repairs

Terrain

Beginner: 10%, Int: 55%, Adv: 35%

Lifts

1 Learners Rope Tow, 3 Rope Tows

Skiable Area

60 Hectares

Lift-Accessed Vertical

450m

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Mt Olympus is named for the 2096 metre (6880 foot) peak that stands over the ski area. Below it, the four high-capacity rope tows access 60 hectares of skiable terrain with plenty more available within a short hike from the lifts.

Skiing & RIDING

The ski area is set in a high, south-facing basin, shaped a bit like a baseball mitt. This is an ideal aspect for catching the big southerly powder dumps that give the Canterbury region its reputation for having the biggest and most consistent annual snowfall in New Zealand - over 4.5 metres (that's nearly 15 feet)!

Combine this with high, bluffed ridges to the north, west and east and Mt Olympus is well protected from the prevailing westerly and north-west winds. This means we hold our snow while other ski areas get stripped.

If you are a backcountry adventurer who likes to ski or board off-piste in awesome terrain, in great snow, with a few other like-minded individuals, amidst a friendly club environment, then Mt Olympus is the place for you. A proud groomer-free zone, skiing at Mt Olympus is all about embracing what Mother Nature gives us, and making the most of it. When it's on, it's REALLY on. A foot or more of dry, champagne powder (which can be a rarity in New Zealand) is not uncommon after a storm and the relatively modest skier numbers mean there are fresh tracks to be had well after the event. Later in the season, Mt Olympus offers some of the best spring corn around and the basin's excellent snow-keeping qualities mean that we can be skiing well into October most years.

For the keen backcountry skier, Mt Olympus has some incredible hiking and touring options available a short distance from the top of the lifts. Popular short hikes include Ardi's Peak, Little Alaska, the Back Ridge and the Sphinx. Longer hikes and ski tours can be undertaken to the summit of Mt Olympus and over into the 403-hectare Ryton Valley, which can offer over 1000m of leg-burning vertical in a good snow year. For those keen on longer trips, it is possible to tour the Craigieburn Range to other club ski areas like Mt Cheesemen, Broken River and Craigieburn Valley.

FACILITIES

Mt Olympus is served by four high-capacity rope tows. These tows are electrically driven and run at between 4 and 6 metres per second - that's as fast as a high-speed detachable chair. Our lifts are the Access Tow, the Main Tow, the Top Tow, and the Learners' Tow which is situated in full view of the Top Hut.

2014 saw the completion of four years' work by club members and the Top Hut now offers the following to skiers visiting Mt Olympus:

• Space for 52 overnight guests in 6 dedicated bunkrooms
• Walk-in drying room
• Ski storage facilities
• First aid room
• Day lodge with full commercial kitchen, log fire and relaxing space
• Guitars for entertainment
• Hot Tub (free for guests. $5 for day trippers)
• Our own Far Canal Road Bar - fully licenced and well stocked!

ACCOMMODATION

The Top Hut

Situated at 1620 metres (5315 feet) above sea level, the Top Hut is home to New Zealand's highest hot tub! Fully insulated and centrally heated with separate areas for day visitors and staying visitors, the Top Hut is purpose-built as a fully self-contained alpine lodge. Staying at the Top Hut is all about mixing with visitors and locals alike, pitching in and helping the staff do what needs to be done and enjoying the legendary atmosphere and hospitality that Mt Olympus is renowned for.

The Bottom Hut

The Bottom Hut is located at the base of the Mt Olympus valley at 1050 metres (3445 feet) and offers a more affordable accommodation solution for those on a budget or for when the Top Hut is full or inaccessible. A basic single room 12-bunk hut, the Bottom Hut offers fully self-contained, self-catered lodging with plenty of parking just 10 minutes drive (or a slightly longer walk) from the main carpark at the base of the Access Tow. Thumbing a lift from here is an option as the access road goes past the door.

Book Accommodation at Mt Olympus

WHAT ARE THE CLUBBIES?

Welcome to laid back, affordable, fine grained skiing and snowboarding, barrel-aged to perfection, without the onesies. Sans grippers. New Zealand’s club fields are to sliding in the alpine what Steve McQueen is to cinema. Forget chairlifts. Think woven twine, hardened steel, hardwood timber and No.8 wire. The Clubbies primarily utilise ropetows as a means of upward transport (with a few T-Bars thrown in for good measure), time tested and proven for their low cost, low maintenance and efficiency in moving alpinists to higher elevations. The vibe is unique. You won’t find anything like it anywhere on Earth. Far from the sterile atmosphere you’ll likely experience at most commercial ski areas, The Clubbies emit warmth (it doesn’t affect the snow) and a welcoming vibe. They offer lasting companionship with other like-minded souls, superb skiing and riding (which takes days to get tracked out) and on-mountain lodging - a rarity in the ski areas of New Zealand. The Clubbies are ski clubs (though most definitely open to the public) run by passionate locals who, rather than see soaring profits, would rather feel the rush of the wind in their hair and white stuff sliding beneath their planks.

LOCATION

The Clubbies are nestled in the Southern Alps, between 1.5-2hrs drive west of Christchurch City - New Zealand’s second largest city (that’s not saying much though). Hanging out in the skinny country that we call home, The Clubbies benefit from snow storms from all directions, though prevalently it comes from the west.

Terrain

The Clubbies cater for every type of skier and rider - first timers that have never seen the white stuff in the flesh before, hardened vets who like to point it, huck it, drop it and send it, and everyone in between. The learners’ facilities and terrain on offer at The Clubbies will ensure swift development of beginners looking to progress in the sport while intermediate terrain provides the stimulation and challenge sought by those who have stepped up a level from the days of pizza, fries and falling leaves. And the advanced terrain? Extreme skier and all-time skiing legend Glen Plake visited a few of The Clubbies some years ago and was quietly impressed. Next thing we knew, extreme skiers and riders from all corners started to rock up for their share of the gnar. So, let’s just say that for some of the more challenging runs lurking within The Clubbies deepest darkest, steepest and snarliest corners, you’ll want to wear an extra pair of underpants.