OVERVIEW:

Fox Peak is a club ski area which is administered on a voluntary basis by its members for their enjoyment and the enjoyment of any other visitors to the area. We welcome anyone who may wish to visit, be it for a day, a few days, a full ski week or longer.

The facilities and terrain offer skiers of all levels and all family members the opportunity to enjoy this wonderful outdoor activity.

HISTORY

Until 1990 the Fox Peak Ski Club was called the Tasman Ski Club, having originated on the Tasman Glacier at Mt. Cook in the late 1920s, it has the distinction of being one of the oldest ski clubs in NZ. In the early 1930s the club decided to relocate to Fox Peak due to its proximity to Timaru. The first hut was built on the present Fox Lodge (bottom Hut) site in 1933, This has been altered and added to at different times and during the late 1980s was doubled in size. Over the years rope tows have been sited in various locations on the mountain culminating in the present system which gives skiers a 650 vertical metre (2230ft) run from top to bottom. Today, thanks to the foresight of those pioneers, members and others can enjoy the advantages of club skiing and the fun atmosphere it presents.

ASPECT

Fox Peak Ski Area faces the rising sun and is therefore quick to warm during the day. It also has some excellent south facing slopes which drop into the South Basin and never feel these warming rays so great powder skiing can often be enjoyed here for days on end.

SNOWBOARDING

Fox Peak is fast becoming a mecca for board riders. With its endless steep and deep runs and the many natural bumps and hollows for those who like to make air, all combining to offer great runs and challenges to be enjoyed by riders of all levels.

HELI SKIING & SKI TOURING

Depending on advance demand a helicopter can sometimes be arranged to fly skiers or sightseers to the peak or other runs off the field in the vicinity.

PARAPENTE

Fox Peak Ski Area lends itself ideally to parapenting with its wide uncrowded slopes and often ideal conditions as the early breeze habitually blows up the mountain from the valley floor far below.

SKI TOURING

 The Fox Peak experience does not end at the top of the tow lines, the more adventurous skier can continue on upwards a further 500 metres (1600ft) to the top of Fox Peak itself at 2331 metres (7650ft) above sea level. A popular route is to skin up through the upper reaches of the North basin to a low saddle on the skyline and then follow the ridge to the peak or alternatively one can walk straight up the East ridge and over the False Peak (which is observed from the top station) to the summit. Either way the climb to the top usually takes around an hour and a half for a moderately fit person. The views from the top are breathtaking with the Alps and Mt. Cook to the west and out to the pacific in the East. The ski trails back to the field through either the South or North basin are equal to the best in the country with huge areas of untracked snow just waiting to be tamed.

If you intend to undertake this trip please advise the duty person in the club canteen prior to leaving.