The
Mountain

Annual Snowfall

4.5m

Aspect

South

Skiable Terrain

80HA

club field skiing at its finest

Mt Olympus is best defined by what it lacks. There are no wide pistes, chairlifts, halfpipes, snowsports equipment rental or crowds. This is relentless freeride purity by way of omission; the evolutionary advantage of shedding the superfluous.

Canterbury’s storm catcher

The Mt Olympus ski area is set in a high, south-facing basin at the southern end of the Craigieburn Range. This giant baseball mitt of schist and shale is perfectly aligned to hijack storms on their one-way winter vacay from Antarctica. Spiky peaks (including the imposing Mt Olympus at 2096m) shred incoming clouds and relieve them of their precious powdery burden — over 4.5 metres annually.

Backcountry terrain without the pain

The terrain is a superbly-balanced smorgasbord of tasty freeride treats: wide-open faces, mellow bowls, and increasingly steep chutes and peaks that challenge the world’s best. It’s a destination resort for big-mountain, backcountry and freeride enthusiasts; but beginners can have just as much fun on the learners slope.

High, bluffed ridges to the north, west and east ensure that Mt Olympus is sheltered from the prevailing westerly and nor-westerly winds. The mountain tends to retain its snow when other ski areas get stripped.

Beginner

10%

Intermediate

55%

Advanced

35%

Lift Accessed Drop

450m

Hike Accessed Drop

1,050m

Highest peak

2,096m

Lift Facilities

Four high-capacity rope tows access 80 hectares of skiable terrain. The backcountry, slackcountry and sidecountry runs accessed by a short hike dramatically increase this area.

The nutcracker

Faster than a high-speed quad, more Kiwi than lolly-cake pavlova. Fear not! If a six-year-old clubbie can ride the main rope tow then so can you… A written explanation of the best nutcracker technique is as pointless as describing the history of the East India Company to a tea leaf. Watch this video instead.

Rope Tows

Four

Top tow elevation.

1,880m

Bottom tow elevation.

1,430m

The Mt Olympus Lodge

Your home in the mountains

The Lodge is a ski-in-ski-out sanctuary to warm your toes and enjoy a warm, hearty lunch to keep you going all day. But when there’s 52 bunk beds, a hot tub with a view and the infamous Far Canal Bar, why wouldn’t you extend your stay for a few more days?

Top Hut Elevation

1,640m

Access the playground of the gods

The end of the road, And the beginning of adventure

Mt Olympus is 130km from Christchurch — a 90 minute drive into the heart of the Canterbury mountains. The final stretch up the mountain is a serious unsealed alpine road. Kiwi style. You will need a “proper” 4WD vehicle with adequate clearance.

Getting Here

2023 Lift Pass Prices

Day Passes

Non-member

Affiliated

Student

Member 0 Days

Member 2 Days

Member 5 Days

Member 10 Days

Adult

$90

$70

$60

$50

$40

$30

$20

Junior U18

$45

$35

$25

$20

$15

$10

Adult

Junior U18

Non-member

$90

$45

Affiliated

$70

$35

Student

$60

Member 0 Days

$50

$25

Member 2 Days

$40

$20

Member 5 Days

$30

$15

Member 10 Days

$20

$10

Child U10*

FREE

Tarn Lift Pass**

$40

Learners Tow Only

$20

  • *U10 Free with full paying adult

  • Juniors 10–18yrs at 31 March 2023

  • **Tarn Lift Pass is for day trips only and unable to be purchased in conjunction with accommodation

  • Half day passes for non-members are available from 1:30pm

  • Chill passes can be redeemed but please advise when booking.

  • Member’s price based on work party days completed, if booked online using your work party days discount code

View full Terms & Conditions

Season Passes

Non-member

Affiliated

Student

Member 0 Days

Member 2 Days

Member 5 Days

Member 10 Days

Adult

$900

$700

$600

$500

$400

$300

$200

Junior U18

$450

$350

$250

$200

$150

$100

Adult

Junior U18

Non-member

$900

$450

Affiliated

$700

$350

Student

$600

Member 0 Days

$500

$250

Member 2 Days

$400

$200

Member 5 Days

$300

$150

Member 10 Days

$200

$100