A broad snow-filled basin nestling under the main divide of the Southern Alps in the beautiful Arthur’s Pass National Park, attracts skiers from around the world.

Temple basin is a fabulous ski field blessed with prolific snow, a sunny northerly aspect and a pervading sense of adventure and isolation. Access is from the Temple Basin car park on State Highway 73 only 4 km west of Arthur’s Pass Village, and 150 km west of Christchurch. Taxi transport to the car park can be arranged from Arthur’s Pass. You deliver your equipment to the free goods lift some 800 metres west of the car park, and then walk 50 minutes up to the lodges and tows.

There is a great diversity of terrain for families, learners and experts over a skiable area of 320 hectares up to a height of 1,750 metres. The season runs from June to October, and snow ratings are 25% beginner, 50% intermediate and 25% advanced. The field has four nutcracker rope tows, and ski and snowboard hire is available.

As a small club field Temple Basin offers incredible value for overnight stays in modern lodges, accommodating up to 120 people on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis. The communal spirit is strong here and guests participate in housekeeping and food preparation. Staying on-field enables you to take advantage of floodlit night skiing.

Snowboarders drool over the truly isolated alpine environment and there is always a buzz in the air around the natural terrain parks. The New Zealand Snowboarding Association has voted Temple basin as one of the best boarding areas in New Zealand. A training institute based on the mountain runs a wide range of courses on avalanche awareness, mountaineering skills, and backcountry ski touring and snowboarding.

True alpine adventure can be found at Temple Basin. The reward for climbing up to this field is a totally enjoyable snow sport experience at the lowest possible cost.