Known for our distinctive fun, friendly vibe, Cheeseman is a club ski field that promotes a fun, family environment in an alpine setting, open to the public, offering great value for money.Only 90 minutes’ drive from Christchurch on State Highway 73, our safe, well-maintained access road allows you to drive right to the T Bar lifts. Our mountain has a sunny aspect with groomed runs and off-piste terrain that caters for all abilities. Our two T-bar lifts provide access to the whole mountain with a learners’ rope tow in our dedicated learners’ area. We offer; ski and board instruction, full rental facilities, licensed café and uncrowded, sunny, groomed terrain and challenging off-piste with spectacular views.
We love everything snow and alpine – skiing, boarding, tobogganing, ice skating, hiking and just having fun in the mountains with great mates and family.
Why Family’s Love Cheeseman… AWESOME!
FACILITIES
Destination for skiing & snowboarding, with trails for all levels of experience & a learner’s area.
All students must show NZ or Australian Tertiary Institution full ID and proof of full-time status.
All Season and Member Passes are valid throughout the winter season for the year issued, including the school holidays.
Children 10 and under and adults over 75 years ski free, there is a $5 admin fee to issue a pass.
All pass-holders must agree with the Cheeseman Ski Area Terms and Conditions.
When will I receive my Season Pass?
All season and member passes purchased online receive an email confirmation. Passes can be collected at the Welcome Function in town (pass holders will be notified by email), or on the mountain at the ticket office. In order to ensure you receive your pass you need to:
- Ensure all your information provided is correct
- Email an appropriate and recent passport style photo for each pass holder to office@mtcheeseman.co.nz. Please ensure your image is:
- One of the following formats: JPEG, PNG, or TIFF;
- Similar to a passport photo that clearly shows your face and features, with no hats, goggles or dark glasses;
- Current and shows us how you look (especially the kids!)
- Email a current student NZ or Australia tertiary ID card and proof of enrolment confirming full time status for all student passes.
Please note that all rates and information displayed are true and correct at the time of printing/publishing and are subject to change at any time without notice.
Our definitions
Family
3 – 4 immediate family members including at least 1 adult (maximum 2 adults per family pass) and at least 1 student, youth or child for up to 4 family members.Additional passes for immediate family members available (student or youth) to a maximum of 6 members per family pass.
Child 0 – 10 years.
Children ski for free but must display a valid lift pass which will be provided at no charge from the ticket office with a full paying adult. A season or member pass can be issued for an admin fee of $5 when purchased in conjunction with a full paying adult pass holder.
Youth – 11 – 17 years (inclusive).
Student – 18 and over.
Students must be full time and supply proof of full time student status.
Senior – 75 years and over.
75+ ski for free but must display a lift pass which will be provided at no charge from the ticket office or a season/member pass can be issued ($5 admin fee applies).
Adult – Everyone else!
FORECAST
MORE DETAILS
Our Awesome Lodges
From overnight accommodation in the winter to exclusive hire during the summer, or a wedding in the Alps, our three lodges offer something for everyone. The Day Lodge and Snowline Lodge located on the mountain within the ski field and our third, Forest Lodge, nestled in the trees at the base of the mountain.
The Day Lodge
Large sunny lodge with wrap around decks, and cathedral windows looking up the mountains or out over the Craigeburn Ranges. During the Winter season, our Day Lodge offer a variety of food, hot snacks and beverages, we even serve real espresso coffee and wine from the licensed Cockayne Café!
Snowline Lodge
Stay the Week or the Weekend! Cheeseman’s hidden gem is Snowline Lodge, true ski in/ski out on mountain accommodation. Ski weeks provide fully catered service and professional instruction all as part of an all-inclusive package or accommodation is available on a nightly basis including dinner, breakfast and lunch. “A mother’s best holiday!” are the ski weeks, who doesn’t love someone else doing the cooking for you! And for the over 18’s – be sure to book on the adults only Fine Wine week! Read More>>
Forest Lodge
Located at the base of the ski area, back packer style self-catering accommodation and when it’s cold enough, there is ice skating on the open-air rink.
How to get here:
Finding us is easy:
The Mt Cheeseman access road is located about 1.5 km past Castle Hill village when travelling from Christchurch. The entrance gate is located on the left just before the Broken River Bridge and is clearly marked and signposted prior to the turnoff.
The unsealed access road is 12km in length and makes its way across flat farming land and through serene native beech forest as it climb to the base area at 1540 metres. You can drive right to the door to unload and the main carpark is located a few hundred metres below the unloading area – an easy 2 minute stroll to warm you up prior to hitting the slopes!
Our Access Road.
ALWAYS CARRY YOUR CHAINS IN WINTER.
We used shouty text because it’s important! The road is maintained and kept in good condition, however being an alpine environment, you never know when it will snow and road conditions can change throughout the day, from good to bad or bad to good. During the winter season, we have helpful signs at the front gate and at strategic points along the road to tell you when you need fit snow chains to your vehicle. Trust us, you don’t want to be the guy who ‘wings it’ and ends up needing to be rescued! Please respect any road closures or locked gates, there is a good reason they are shut.
Key Distances
| Springfield | 46km approx 1h 0m drive |
| Darfield | 70km approx 1h 15m drive |
| Christchurch Airport | 104km approx 1h 30m drive |
| Hokitika | 159km approx 2h 22m drive |
| Westport | 256km approx 3h 45m drive |
| Nelson | 413km approx 5h 30m drive |