The view for breakfast

Whether you believe in the theories of global warming or not, the prospect is not one we skiers and boarders want to contemplate. Carbon footprints aside, the cost of filling up the Subaru is also getting to be a reason to think twice about leaving home too.

So why not solve all these problems by staying on the mountain?  Get two or more days for one tank of fuel and spend more time on the snow. Broken River has a range of accommodation options from backpackers through to fully serviced.  All three lodges are situated on the tree line a short walk from the lifts.  You can enjoy sunrise over the Torlesse Range and watch the keas outside the window while you breakfast.

At the other end of the day, staying on the hill is the best way to enjoy night skiing.  Ski ‘till you drop and then roll into bed to recharge the battery for the next day.

You can have all this for less than the cost of a tank of petrol

Can’t stay with us up the hill, or keen to minimise your carbon footprint further?  You can do your bit for global warming and save a bit of dosh by checking out www.snowpool.org.nz.  This nifty site helps you make contact with like-minded riders to arrange a carpool for your trip to Broken River.  The site is free and simple to use.

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This post is taken from ‘Powder Lines’ - Broken River’s weekly e-zine.  To subscribe, send an email to us at Powder Lines.

Snow secrets part 1:Fact: Broken River has great snow. 

Broken River skiers are very fortunate in that as well as catching plenty of snow; the ski area is protected from the prevailing winds that can buffet other ski areas. Not only that, the snow that gets blown away from exposed slopes gets dumped in our leeward basin.

But that’s only half the story. If the snow is a bit thin, your boards end up riding on what’s under the snow.  Usually that means rocks, but not at Broken River.  The Broken River basin is covered in tussock grass.  The plants catch and hold the snow - keeping you off the rocks.

Fact: Broken River skiers and boarders get to revel in it for longer.

Broken River was the last South Island ski area open in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006 & 2007, and in 2003 & 2004 was open for more days than any other ski area in Australasia.

We open from 9:00 am until after 5.00 pm every day - Broken River had only 3 closed days last season due to weather.

You don’t often have more than a few minutes to catch your breath in a Broken River lift line, so…

Fact: There is more great skiing at Broken River than most people can handle!