Seasonal
2 April 2025
Flying down snowy slopes, soaking in sprawling city views and dancing the evening away... sound like your dream winter weekend?
In Christchurch there is plenty of space to play, especially in the winter months. With snow on the mountains and a city buzzing with energy, your days will be full to the brim of adventure and nights alive with the energy of a city turning up the heat in the chilly months.
Here's how to spend an action-packed weekend in Christchurch this winter.
Christchurch is a dream location for snow sport fans, located a short drive from a number of incredible slopes.
Begin your day early and embark on an adventure to one of the nearby fields. Mt Hutt is a popular local slope just a 90-minute drive from the city. It is one of the largest and highest ski areas in the South Island, providing an unparalleled big mountain experience for skiers and snowboarders. Having been voted New Zealand’s best ski resort ten years running at the World Ski Awards, you can rest assured you'll be in for an epic day out!
Alternatively, you can head to Porters or Mt Cheeseman (also close by) for club field options and more family-friendly skiing. All of these ski fields offer gear hire as well as lessons and programmes for both children and adults. Whatever field you choose, the trick is to get up early and make the most of the morning runs. After all, there is nothing quite like the morning light and fresh alpine air!
Christchurch is not just home to snow, but also surf! With multiple beaches, there is a keen local community of surfers who you’ll find in the waves whatever the season. And in winter, the waves are epic. New Brighton Beach, Sumner Beach or Taylor’s Mistake are popular spots among the locals for finding the best waves. There are a few companies around the city where you can hire a board too.
If you choose New Brighton as your beach of choice, it would be impossible not to finish your day with a soak at He Puna Taimoana, New Brighton’s seaside hot pools. Perfect for warming you up and easing your tired muscles after a day of adventure.
Christchurch is known for its beautiful heritage buildings and that now includes a number of hospitality spots, including The Church. This restored venue has transformed into a buzzing, live music, dining and drinking destination in the heart of the city. With a roaring woodfire pizza oven, big screen for popular sports matches, stage for local artists to rock out on, and tables that get pushed aside to create a heaving dance floor, the good times are always rolling!
Mornings in Christchurch are a wonderful thing, largely due to the exceptional cafe culture in the city. With locally owned, boutique coffee roasters and bustling cafes in all directions, you never have to wander far to find a delicious spot to spend the morning. Some popular spots include Unknown Chapter, Hello Sunday, Doubles, Supreme Supreme and Akin. Take your pick and fuel up for a day of exploring!
After brunch, head out to the charming harbour village of Lyttelton, a quick 20-minute drive from the central city. This vibrant, quirky township is a place you can leisurely explore, home to unique retailers and plenty of hidden gems.
London Street is the shopping and food core of Lyttelton. Dine at the delicious cafes or pop into the local craft shops for a spot of shopping. A great stop for caffeine is the Lyttelton Coffee Company, renowned for their excellent coffee roasted on-site and epic views over the harbour. If you’re feeling like something more refreshing, pop across the road to Civil and Naval, a local favourite, with an impressive range of Canterbury craft beer, tasty fried chicken, and hand-cut chips (with bottomless aioli... enough said, right?).
In the mood for some incredible views? The Christchurch Adventure Park is home to the Southern hemisphere's largest mountain bike park. But it isn’t just made for those on two wheels. Take the chairlift to the top or walk one of the many trails, reaching stunning views over the Port Hills. Keen for a little adrenaline? The park is also home to the largest zip line in the country!
To wind down your afternoon, head over to Sumner, a seaside village home to a sprawling beach and small township. If you’re rugged up warm, take a walk along the beach and watch the keen surfers catch waves as the sun lowers over the horizon.
The village is home to a number of eateries, including the Sumner Post Office. The building is a beautifully restored historic post office (you guessed it), now converted into a warm and relaxed restaurant. The menu is focused around simple, fresh flavours that will delight your tastebuds.
If you’re feeling spicy, another local favourite is Miss Peppercorn, for authentic Chinese food and mouth-numbing Sichuan dishes. There’s no better cure to beat the winter chill!
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