Family Friendly Skiing

Mt Hutt claims to be “the most family friendly mountain in New Zealand” – a lofty statement, but there’s a lot to back it up. The ski area has been voted New Zealand’s best ski resort from 2015 - 2022.

Ski Area Manager James McKenzie says children from three months old to 17 years are catered to with awesome programs and facilities. There’s an on-mountain, fully-licenced early childhood centre for babies and toddlers and children 5 and under ski for free. “For younger ones, activities stay indoors, but as they get older activities move outdoors; at three years they are learning to ski in the dedicated Skiwiland instruction area,” says McKenzie.

From ages five and upwards, children can join our full or half day lessons, leaving mum and dad time to explore the pistes for themselves. “For mums and dads, this means convenient fun for the whole family. [We’re] recognised for [our] friendly vibe, Kiwi hospitality, family-friendliness and great terrain.”

Mt Hutt has five freestyle terrain parks, which are hugely popular with older kids and young adults. “We run a series of competitions during the season to support young athletes and those that just have fun hitting the park,” McKenzie says.

Roundhill Ski Area is located on the Tekapo side of the Two Thumb Range and offers groomed trails with plenty of natural dips and curves. It offers a great first timer’s ski package, which includes a beginner’s lift pass, gear rental and a 1.5-hour lesson, which is $95 for children 17 years and under. Children who are five years and under ski for free.

Mt Dobson Ski Area is an owner-operated ski area with a relaxed atmosphere and dramatic vistas punctuated with piercingly blue ice-fed lakes. With regular snowfalls and wide-open slopes, it has good skiing and snowboarding conditions for families, beginners and intermediates.

“We have a relaxed family-friendly atmosphere, a large sunny beginners’ area and great trails for beginners to progress and improve their skills,” 

Credit: Mt Dobson Ski Area

Children under five ski for free (excludes equipment hire and lessons) and the ski area even has a purpose-built toboggan area, with sleds available for hire – perfect for those that don’t ski or ride. The on-mountain Foote Rest Café is a great place to refuel and relax, with a barista-made coffee or famous Fairlie Bakehouse pie.

Porters Alpine Resort offers the nearest skiing to Christchurch, which means less time on the road and more on the snow. The ski area boasts remarkable vistas encompassing Lake Coleridge and the Southern Alps and its varied terrain is suitable for skiers and snowboarders from beginner to expert.

Credit: Porters

“The beginner and intermediate slopes sit alongside each other, allowing seamless progression for children,” says spokesman Alan Lelieveld. “As an added benefit these slopes are in close proximity to the carpark and café meaning parents [can easily] enjoy a coffee and watch their children ski.” Children aged 10 and under ski for free.

Hanmer Springs Ski Area offers a truly affordable, grassroots snow experience. Despite being a small operation, it has a fantastic beginners area – an easy walk from the warm day lodge, which is serviced by a fixed-grip learners’ rope tow.

The ski area has a Poma and rope tow for more experienced skiers. It is run by a small staff, supported by a volunteer ski club – so friendly faces and advice on how to use the rope tow are never far away.

Credit: Hanmer Springs Ski Area

Hanmer Springs Ski Area has a parents’ pass, allowing couples to have turns skiing and staying in to care for their child, without having to buy a pass each.

The day lodge has a mezzanine floor with toys, sofas and large windows with a view of the slopes to make sure no one misses out on the action.

Outside there is a nice big flat area for playing, digging snow caves and towing sleds up and down a small slope.

Mt Lyford Ski Area is family friendly as it is family owned and operated, which is 100 per cent.

Resort manager Hamish Simpson, whose father built the ski area years ago, says it is set up perfectly to cater for entry-level and intermediate skiers and snowboarders. It has gentle rolling terrain, a centrally-located day lodge with rental equipment available and all main runs are groomed daily. The Terako Day Lodge is right next to the learners’ slope and the main intermediate lift – Paradise Valley Platter, “so parents and grandparents can enjoy watching the children progress”, says Simpson.

Children under seven ski and ride for free and a youth day pass for ages seven to 17 is $49.

“For those not wanting to ski there is a snow tubing luge – great for a thrill or to tow the little ones around in.”