Temple Basin

Tempe Basin is a ski field located in Arthur’s Pass in New Zealand’s Canterbury region. It is operated by two clubs, Canterbury University Snow Sports Club and the Temple Basin Ski club. The ski area features a ski shop, 3 rope tows, two lodges and a ski school. Visitors can enjoy four main basins and Cassidy Tow is smooth and good for beginners. Temple Tow is an intermediate slope and Downhill Basin is the highest tow with a wide-open bowl. You can hike from Downhill Basin to Bills Basin which is good for intermediate skiers and has chutes at the bottom.

Temple Basin is approximately a 2-hour drive from Christchurch then followed by a 45-minute walk which begins at the Temple Basin car park. The track features expansive mountain views, kea sightings and alpine birdlife. It quickly gains elevation and is well-marked by orange poles. The controlled terrain is frequented by extreme skiers and snowboarders and the lifts provide good access to the peaks. It is advisable to check the weather forecast before you leave as mountain weather changes quickly.