Tom Greenall reports on his first impressions of skiing at Mt Lyford:

About 100 miles north of Christchurch is Mt. Lyford alpine resort. The climb to the skiing starts from Lyford lodge, climbing gently through condominiums and lifestyle homes in wooded glades, a setting reminiscent of many an American resort. After passing through a tollgate ($5) the road climbs more steeply affording great views south across Canterbury. Above the treeline you cross a Col, then pass the Lake Stella, site of a previous ski field, finally winding up to an open basin below Mt. Lyford.

The skiing is very open and gently rolling for the most part. Surprisingly for a small area it has quite a few lifts, Two Platter lifts, two Pomas, a fixed grip tow and a rope tow. The majority of the runs are in front of the Base lodge, with the rope tow climbing the peak in front. Only one poma drops down behind the lodge.

The central part of the area is nice and gentle, but soon becomes tedious, the run below was closed but I skied it anyway….a nice long pitch, followed by a 20 minute hike back up the road. The rope tow off the top of the higher poma provides some rather exiting terrain. It opens up pitches of up 45 degrees with a few hundred feet of drop.

The snow was wind blown hardpack, being softened by a warm breeze, a bit tricky to ski, but rather agreeable corn by afternoon.

It is quite a stretch to get to Mt. Lyford, but the open rolling nature of its terrain make it unique amongst the ski fields I have visited so far.

Words and Pictures from Tom Greenall - Natives Resort Reporter

More First Impressions...

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of Mt Cheeseman
of Mt Hutt
of Porter Heights
of Broken River
of Craigieburn Valley

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