The Porters Ski Field is not fancy yet it has the basic requirements for skiers and snowboarders. The facilities are mostly housed within a modern day lodge at the base, which is adjacent to the car park. Amenities and services include a delightful café, ski and snowboard hire, a small retail shop, ski school, lockers (in an old shipping container) and bathroom facilities.

Porters Ski Hire

Porters Ski Field has a decent range of rental equipment for beginners as well as demo skis and snowboards. Rates for Porters ski hire are very reasonable for “up on the hill”. There are also repair and tuning facilities available.

If you’re based in Methven there are a couple of shops for Methven ski hire, which provide a greater range of rental equipment compared to Porters. If you’re staying in Springfield there are no ski shops, although if you’re coming from Christchurch there’s a Darfield ski hire shop.

Facilities for Children

There is no crèche available at Porters and no specific kids’ play area (tobogganing is banned), so if the kids aren’t skiing they’ll be relegated to the café or car park.

Porters Ski School

Ski and snowboard lessons are much cheaper at Porters than other commercial ski resorts in NZ, so take the opportunity to improve your skills. The Porters development packages for beginners are particularly great value.

If you are putting the kids into ski school for the day, you have to pick up the kids during lunch time, but this is not too troublesome considering that all the runs finish at the day lodge anyhow.

Eating On Mountain

The café is modern with stylish interiors. There is only seating for 120 so it can get pretty busy during peak holidays, but it is nice because it doesn’t feel like a sterile “Cole’s cafeteria” that you get at some resorts. The coffee is very good, there is a variety of food available, and the wine list is pretty impressive for a NZ ski resort.

There’s a good sized outdoor eating area for fine days, although if it hasn’t recently snowed, the views are butt ugly. Luckily there are kea antics to watch!

Porters Shop

There is a small retail shop that sells basics such as sunscreen, beanies, goggles, gloves and a few helmets. If you have more specific needs for ski or snowboard gear, you’ll need to try Christchurch or one of the Methven ski shops.

The Porters shop also sells souvenirs to remind you of your visit to Porters. The souvenirs include T-shirts (e.g. to boast that you’ve conquered Big Mama), hoodies, caps and hats. And the ultimate souvenir – they even sell “Porters” bottled water. It is unlikely that the water has any special healing powers or the like, but you never know?!

For groceries and other supplies, your best bet is to head to Darfield.