Craigieburn Valley

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Craigieburn Valley Ski Area

Looking up the valley
Location:	Canterbury NZ
Nearest city:	Springfield
Top elevation:	1811 m^[1]
Base elevation:	1308 m^[1]
Skiable area:	400 hectare^[1]
Runs:	Backcountry
Lift system:	3 Rope tow^[1]
Terrain parks:	0
Snowmaking:	no
Night skiing:	no
Web site:	www.craigieburn.co.nz

Craigieburn Valley is a club skifield in the southern alps of New Zealand's South Island. Catering only to intermediate and advanced skiers, it features a vertical range of 1308—1811 m, 400 hectares of skiable area and 3 fast rope tows. The resort has several ski lodges but no gear hire. It is also the base for ski touring expeditions when conditions permit. It is immediately adjacent to the Broken River ski area, with which it shares a ski pass system.

The new day lodge at the Ski field

Craigieburn has two accommodation lodges, the main Koroheke and the budget Mahtui. Through the winter there is a ski week system, where people come and stay for a Sunday to Saturday week. Duties are shared between staff and guests, while there is a cook and a manager, cleaning is normally done by guests. This is the nature of most club fields in New Zealand and promotes a good atmosphere at the lodge. There is also a bar in Koroheke lodge, the normal meeting place after a day on the field.^[2] The only services available during the day are at day lodge, about half-way up the mountain. There are limited food options but it is warm and with a great view of the field.

Craigieburn is internationally famous for it's steep terrain, 55% rated as advanced. There is no grooming and the hiking options are excellent, including Middle Basin, a 600m open bowl back to the access road, commonly compared to heli-skiing.^[1]