Hanmer Springs NZ

It’s days of high adventure at Hanmer Springs ski area. A place where getting there is half the fun. No crowds, cheap accommodation, super staff, lifts that turn from dawn to dusk, and views to die for. One can’t help but love the Hanmer Springs Ski Field. Score a powder day at Hanmer Springs and life in the mountains couldn’t be sweeter – or cheaper!

Previously called ‘Amuri’ after the ski club that established the ski field in 1957, Hanmer Springs NZ is a cosy ski area where you should bring your mates, a heap of beers, and a sense of adventure. Stay a night or two on the hill, and you’ll remember what skiing used to be like (and still is in this bit of paradise).

Pros and Cons of Hanmer Springs Ski Area

Pros

• There are absolutely no crowds and no rush at the Hanmer Springs Ski Area. Ahh the serenity. It epitomises what skiing should be.
• The volunteer staff are very friendly and helpful.
• This is a classic skiwi club field that is unique to New Zealand.
• Hanmer offers cheap skiing and snowboarding.
• The hot pools in the town of Hanmer Springs NZ are a great way to relax.
• The ski field offers great views.

Cons

• It is a very small ski area in-bounds, although touring opportunities abound.
• The Hanmer Springs ski area doesn’t receive an abundance of snow and the aspect is all wrong for snow quality maintenance.
• Due to the snow issues, the ski field often opens very late in the season (if at all). To add further insult to opening times, it’s staffed by volunteers so there is little commercial motivation to get the ski field open on some days.

Pro or Con Depending On Your Perspective

• The amenities are very retro and very basic.

Hanmer Springs Ski and Snowboard Terrain

The Hanmer Springs Ski Area is essentially one wide alpine bowl with a high point of 1,850m, and it’s an intermediates heaven. Unlike some smaller NZ ski areas, Hanmer has a groomer which generally provides quality skiing regardless of the snow conditions.

Whilst only small with 52 hectares of skiable terrain, about a dozen runs, and a vertical of 310 metres, there is ample scope to have a lot of fun. More advanced skiers can access some steep terrain and chutes, plus the backcountry skiing possibilities are immense.

Hanmer Springs Ski Field has 3 lifts, which includes a nutcracker ropetow, but you could just use the long poma if you wanted to avoid getting your nuts cracked.

Where is Hanmer Springs Ski Area?

Hanmer Springs ski area is 17km from the spa resort town of Hanmer Springs. The town of Hanmer Springs is 137km north of Christchurch, New Zealand. In a country where roads to ski areas tend to be a little bit on the challenging side, the road to Hanmer Springs ski area ups even that ante!

Hanmer Springs Accommodation

Hanmer Springs Ski Area has rustic on-mountain lodging that is dorm style and cheap as chips. It’s self-catering so you’ll need to take supplies with you.

The other option for Hanmer Springs accommodation is to stay off the hill in the town of Hanmer Springs. A wide range of accommodation is available, with the top of the pops being the Heritage Hanmer Springs Hotel.

Hanmer Springs Accommodation Listings

Hanmer Springs is quite a touristy town and in addition to the hot springs, it has lots of booking agents trying to sell a range of activities such as bungy jumping, jet boating, canoeing, rafting, and quad biking. The town also has a few upscale boutiques, lots of restaurants and cafes, and a few pubs.

Ski Field Facilities

Everything at Hanmer Springs ski area is basic but adequate. All guests have access to shabby-chic lounges, the kitchen and day area. A small cafe provides the basics but otherwise it’s BYO. Very limited ski hire and lessons are available from professional instructors. Take a lesson because they’d probably love it if they could utilise their snowsports instructing skills rather than cleaning toilets.