Suggested Time: 3 Days
Day 1: Christchurch to Craigieburn
Day 2: Craigieburn to Mt Olympus
Day 3: Mt Olympus to Christchurch
The insanity of the terrain and combined with the athletes skill to descend through tight chutes, launch off large cliffs and navigate natural obstacles with speed and skill always provides a great spectacle for those with a greater sense of self preservation. The events also provide a great opportunity to escape to an alpine environment, score a few turns for yourself, stay on the mountains and enjoy the action of the competition.
Whether you’re a local or are just visiting these shores there’s no shortage of transport heading west from Christchuch. Choose from a range of rental cars companies, professional shuttle service or free car pooling service www.snowpool.org.nz. If you’re after the self drive option check out NZ 4wd Hire or for the ultimate club field transportation give Phil at the Burn a call and he’ll pick you up from where ever you want.
Craigieburn is true club field so facilities are limited, their kitchen and day lodge will always please with delicious food but if you’re in need of gear rental you’ll have to plan ahead and pick up in Christchurch or Darfield. Like Mt Olympus Craigieburn operates on rope tows, a Canterbury classic and tried and true way of transporting keen skiers to the top of the mountain. If you’re a intermediate to competent skier and have never ridden a rope tow/nut cracker never fear. The staff are more than happy to help you out and you’ll master it in no time. If your just learning it’s a pretty big ask.
The competition runs late into the afternoon so take your time, ski some laps, stop as often or as little as you like and check out the competition from the day lodge with a bite to eat. Once sun sets the main lodge comes to life with athletes and spectators sharing stories and good times around the bar. The competition spends two days at Craigieburn then shifts to Mt Olympus.
The Craigieburn Range and Main Divide are renowned for some of the best lift accessed big mountain terrain in the world. If you’re not afraid of steep terrain, tight chutes and huge air then why not enter a big mountain competition in these stunning sections of the Southern Alps. If you’re not keen on entering but want to witness a skiing and snowboarding spectacle check out one of the CHILL series big mountain events. The events attract a top line up of big mountain skiers and snowboarders from New Zealand and around the globe.
The events allow you to ski and enjoy a few turns when you want to and then relax with a drink in hand on one of the sunny on mountain day lodges, the perfect spot to watch the best of the best push themselves to the limit for the crowd’s entertainment. The relaxed atmosphere of the competitions encourages competitor and spectator interaction and the party lasts long into the night with most of the athletes staying on the mountain.
Whether you stay on the mountain, at the base, nearby township or commute from Christchurch the events are not to be missed and a great excuse to escape to the hills, enjoy some skiing and high country hospitality.
CHILL Series calendar
K2 Big Mountain CHILL Series, Aug 24-28, Craigieburn & Mt Olympus
Black Diamond Big Mountain CHILL Series, Sept 2/4 Temple Basin
Useful Links
www.holidayhouses.co.nz
www.chillout.co.nz
www.flockhill.co.nz
www.craigieburn.co.nz
www.mtolympus.co.nz
www.templebasin.co.nz
