OVERVIEW:

TEMPLE BASIN IS A MAGICAL PLACE,

High on the Main Divide of the Southern Alps in New Zealand's South Island. It is at the centre of the Arthur's Pass National Park, and two hours drive from Christchurch and the Christchurch International Airport.

High mountains surround the ski area. The sunny, north-west-facing slopes collect both sun and deep snow and wonderful powder. The snowfall at Temple Basin averages 11.5 metres a year!

Temple Basin offers a great variety of terrain, from gentle slopes for beginners to a large number of adrenalin-pumping bowls, basins and chutes to challenge the most advanced and daredevil skier and snowboarder.

Temple Basin has 320 hectares of skiable terrain with a vertical rise of 430 metres. The highest point, on Mount B’limit, is at 1923 metres. The main slopes are floodlit at night and you can ski until midnight if you wish! Three nutcracker tows and one beginners' fixed grip tow provide the lifts, all tows have starting platforms to make life easier for snowboarders. The tow closest to the lodges is floodlit at night and skiing may continue until midnight.

Temple Basin is a very successful, long-established club field.

Friendly, expert, professional staff are available to give instruction in skiing, snowboarding and other alpine skills such as climbing, snow-caving, and survival in the mountains.

You do not have to belong to Temple Basin Ski Club to ski there and stay in the lodge, but membership does give you definite advantages. Fees for both accommodation and lift passes are lower for members, and participation in volunteer activity and the social life of the club is great fun.

As a skier or snowboarder coming to Temple Basin you have a number of different options.

You may come as casual or weekend visitors, fitting in your mountain experience with your other commitments. Weekend bookings are nearly always available. However, on weekdays, because Ski-Weeks or other large groups may be staying on the mountain, beds will not always be available. It is essential to check with the Temple Basin Booking Office before you set out.

TEMPLE BASIN IN SUMMER.

The lodges stand on a terrace which in the summer becomes a meadow of alpine grasses and flowers. Wonderful walks take you to other basins and up to the Main Divide ridge. Schools and other organisations use Temple Basin for field trips and outdoor education as well as leadership training and group development. Outdoor adventure activities include rock-climbing, abseiling, orienteering, and swimming in the mountain tarns.

In all, a visit to Temple Basin is very much more than just a ski trip It is a total educational package which allows students to experience at first hand the awesome scale and beauty of New Zealand's Southern Alps in relative safety and comfort. It teaches them skills which they can use in any mountain environment, and gives them a greater understanding of their own strengths as well as the importance of group cohesion and responsibility.