Last weekend Open for season

Still doing maintenance this week on the field but we will open for our last weekend of the season on Friday, snowed overnight down to Conical Hill. Come on up for one last blast!

Spring Snow - but for how long?

We are open this weekend, snow conditions are still good, doing some maintenance work next week Monday to Thursday (12th to 15th) then hopefully open Friday 16th (subject to enough snow) for what is likely to be our last weekend - so come on up one more time while it's still fantastic - see you there!

Photos from a groomer!

Here are more photos after the big dump, taken from a groomers perspective!

Awesome Snow & Sun - Special Days at Hanmer

Went up the Hanmer Springs Ski Field yesterday and took these fantastic photos - what a day - brilliant sunshine, no crowds (less than 20 people all day), friendly helpful staff and great snow. Obviously still some powder pockets from last weeks storm to play in.

Bacardi Cup another huge event!

What a great Barcadi Cup party everyone had up the ski field on the day / night of Sat 6th August. Divided into 4 teams and fortified by Barcadi, the contestant's braced the blizzard outside in fancy dress costumes and were put through their paces by the Hanmer Springs Ski Area staff. Along with a santa, clowns, school girls, prison escapees and a transvestite in fishnets, contestant's braved the elements while they hunted around trying to find bottles of barcadi & coke, hidden around the ski field!

Thanks to Sam and the kitchen crew for the endless delicious homemade pizzas (and to Brian & Nico for donating the lamb). A big thanks to Winnie Bagoes, Ferrymead for kindly donating some Barcadi. Also Ben Savill, Margo, Sarah and the rest of the committee and staff for looking after us all so well, to Steve Van Beek for sorting the sounds and lastly a HUGE thank you to everyone who came up to support Hanmer Springs Ski Area. It's such a great event and without the support of everyone involved we wouldn't be able to keep the tradition alive.

Locals Ski Free Day - a success!

Plenty of people turned out on Wednesday for our Locals ski free day - this was an opportunity for the ski club to show off our facilities to the hanmer locals who had not been up for years or even decades. Lots of smiles all around and plenty of snow on the shirtfront.

Chill Rams Head Downhill!

The first Inaugural Chill Rams Head Downhill was held in perfect conditions on Sunday.

Snowboarders, skiers and monskiers (Ben Savill) started at base, ran around Poma shed jumped on toboggan- slid to tow shed, ate a hot pie, drunk a can of V, jumped into skis or board only after finishing a can of V.

Up shirt front, hold on to empty V can first to the bottom.

Mens winner won a leg of ram – shot at the ski field by Assistant Manager Ivan The Butcher

Womens winner won Chill Shirt

Thanks to sponsors Salomon and Chill

1^st Men –  Nils

1^st Women – Margot Bohanon

We are Open

Field opens today, moderate winds forecast, all vehicles required to use chains from Branch Creek. ENJOY

Inaugural Ram's Head Downhill!!

Subject to the weather, and obviously snow, the greatest event in the history of Hanmer Springs Ski Area will take place Saturday and Sunday July 16/17.

The inaugural Rams Head Down Hill will see battle hardened competitors wolf down a pie and race for the tows having to complete two runs, one on skis/boards and one on a toboggan, before finishing with a caffeine and carbonated V skull.

Prizes you ask? A leg of Ram shot on field for the first one to complete the course and their drink.

It’s a laid back and free event, well not that laid back, the competition is bound to be fierce. But it’s definitely free.

Once the competition is over the party will run into the night with movies screened inside thanks to Salomon.

Almost forgot the best part. It’s a FULL MOON! Provided there’s snow on the ground and the clouds stay away there’s one large natural light to facilitate night skiing and the tows will be cranking!

There are spot prizes from Salomon and a CHILL BBQ on Sunday with all proceeds going to the Hanmer Springs Ski Area.

There’s no need to book for the event but be sure to book your accommodation in advance, this will be a great event not to be missed.

If you’ve never skied Hanmer its a must, the laid back vibe is fantastic and it’s a prerequisite for anyone wishing to get their hands on the limited edition CHILL Ski 11 T’s

For bookings visit www.skihanmer.blogspot.com

Proudly sponsored by Salomon

Aerial photos of snow 1 July 2011 - Hanmer

Here are some aerial photos taken from our eye in the sky today!
Shows a base of about 25cm even cover over the field - we do not yet have enough snow to open - so lets cross our fingers and prey to the snow gods to gift us some more precious white. Opening of field has been delayed - we will notify everyone as soon as we know a definite date.

Morris and his new home!

The mighty MORRIS being secured to his new home at the bottom of the access road. Ready and waiting to greet you on your Ski Hanmer expedition!!

Easter trip up the snowless hill!

Good Friday presented the perfect window for some last minute jobs before the snow started to arrive and make completing them a bit of a mission. Chris Atkinson (club president) headed up with his "road train" and willing helpers to secure the weight at the bull wheel of the poma and its brand spanking new cable and to complete the wiring for the emergency stop wire in the tow. Its always so weird seeing that little winter wonderland all naked and tussocky and one hell of an experience broaching the slopes via 4 wheel drive buggy! So with our visiting Austrian friend in tow we did just that. Stood on the very top of the mountain in gale force winds, marveled at how Griggy didn't get blown off the tower then after hauling old snow fence posts to a pile, we lay in the shelter of the tussocks and the warm alpine sun. Great day, good jobs done and just adding more stoke to the winter a head!!

 Road train

 Un loading the Polaris

 Brand new fire place!!

 That view never gets old...

 Katrin from Austria loving the kiwi way of getting jobs done!

 Chris and Griggy grinding at altitude

 A little breezy

 Loading the wee beast back up and ready for home

 Yes...you read correctly..perhaps one of the last remaining mountains to truly welcome snow bladers..

-Julia Atkinson

2010 season was a ripper

I had a great time up the ski field last season (2010) and here are some photos to prove it! some excellent powder days I will never forget.