Temple Basin

Story

Temple Basin is a club skifield in Arthur's Pass, in New Zealand's South Island. Operated by two clubs, the Temple Basin Ski Club, and the Canterbury University Snow Sports Club, the ski area has 3 rope tows, two on-site lodges, two shelters and a ski school and ski shop. The tows cover an elevation range of 1326–1753 metres, for a skiable domain of 320 hectares. Its natural terrain has been highly recommended by adventure skiers on several occasions.Temple Basin is home to the New Zealand Snow Safety Institute. The New Zealand Snow Safety Institute runs a series of courses throughout the year on aspects of mountaineering and mountain safety. These courses are aimed for climbers, skiers, snowboarders and trampers. The lodges at Temple Basin allows for students to stay on field and watch the snow pack evolve over time aiding the learning of these skills.Temple Basin is approximately 2 hours from Christchurch by car, followed by a 45-minute walk. Like many club fields, a good portion of the skiable area is accessible only by hiking, including some hiking between lifts.The field consists of 4 main basins. Cassidy Tow accesses a smooth open basin with beginner and intermediate terrain. Temple Tow accesses an intermediate slope. Between Cassidy and Temple tows a stream gut offers rock faces and snow traps. A short walk from the top of Temple Tow brings users to Downhill Basin and the fields highest Tow. Downhill consists of a wide open bowl with Blimit and Mt Temples peaks above. A traverse and hike from the top of temple tow gives users access to Bills Basin, an intermediate basin with a collection of chutes at the bottom. From the top of Downhill tow one can also hike to the peak accessing the Mingha Valley over the ridge. The Mingha, whilst not patrolled, is commonly used by backcountry skiers and snowboarders.

"Temple Basin is one of the oldest ski areas in New Zealand, formed in 1929. It is club run which means it has a strong community feel. Located on the Main Divide of the Southern Alps, the resort benefits most from Nor'west storms. There are 120 beds in bunkhouse style accommodation right beside the lifts, making it truely a ski in ski out resort. A goodslift carries equipment to the Lodge from highway 73 and access to the lodge is approximately a 50 minute hike via the walking track. Beginner to advanced terrain can be accessed by 3 rope tows, so be ready to use a nutcracker! From the lifts, the surrounding peaks can be easily accessed so the field has become renowned as the home of extreme skiing and snowboarding in New Zealand."