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FOX PEAK SKI CLUB


A friendly and uncrowded atmosphere



Fox Peak Ski Area is run by the Fox Peak Ski Club (Inc.) – a non-profit organisation whose ski field is located on Fox Peak, the highest mountain in the Two Thumb range. The uncrowded slopes and friendly atmosphere, coupled with amazing terrain make it one of the true gems of the South Island’s club ski fields. We rely on the hard work of loyal and passionate club members to make this a true ski and snowboarding paradise to be enjoyed by all.


















OUR HISTORY

In the late 1920's a group of young Timaru students obtained holiday jobs at the Hermitage and in their free time they climbed and skied (no tows) in the Mt Cook area. It was decided to create a club and in 1929 the Tasman Ski Club was formed, named after the Tasman Glacier. However it was a long journey to Mt Cook in those days so a mountain closer to Timaru was sought. 




In 1932 a group of members climbed Fox Peak looking for a slope to ski and a suitable site to build a hut. A hut site was found where the present Fox Lodge is now. Permission was granted by the run holder, S.P.Bray of Lilydale Station, to build an accommodation hut. 

The building began the next year. All equipment and materials had to be carted from Lilydale Station across the river flats and across the north banch of the Opuha River to the “Tin Shed” – near where the bridge is now. From there the gear was carried up the hill by pack horse and back pack.




The first rope tow was established in 1950. 1000 yards (914m) of rope, 90 gallons (340l) of petrol and the tow engine were taken by truck and tractor to Jeep Rock - some distance below the hut site. The rope and fuel was back-packed to the field whereas the motor winched itself up 1,500 ft (500m) to the Knob (car park area). Over the next 15 years many extensions were made to the Bottom Hut – now named Fox Lodge. A “landrover” 4x4 track was bulldozed to the hut. A bridge was built over the north branch of the Opuha River by a local engineering firm in Timaru - Parr & Co. Eventually a steep track was extended from the hut to the field. This was re-aligned in later years and remains the road today.

In 1991 the club changed its name to the Fox Peak Ski Club to avoid confusion with name and place.


BECOME A MEMBER





The benefits of becoming a member are that members get much cheaper lift passes and can purchase a Season Pass. Members can also enjoy the camaraderie of others and participate in summer activites. Club members are expected to help run the ski field at weekends so your turn would come up once or twice a season. There is a field supervisor who organises tow operators, canteen operator, ski patroller and Fox Lodge hut custodian. Senior members will help you learn the procedures of running the field.


CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Ski Club Championships are a lot of fun and are held each season over a weekend, consisting of slalom ski and snowboard races for all age groups. There is also the infamous 'Mountain Smoker' from the top of the Apex to the Base, with its Le Mans start (running to your skis) which is a hair-raising event.

We also have a temporary “snow pool” at the bottom of the Learners’ slope (during the club champs weekend), which is a daunting challenge for young and old!







SUMMER MAINTENANCE WORK

In the summer there are work parties to maintain equipment and design and build improvements. A club field is flexible and allows members to have input into facilities. Not only do you achieve good works but you can enjoy the fauna and flora that live on the mountain. So get out of the concrete jungle, head for the hills and revel in the peace and beauty of the mountains!

Become a member and... be there when it snows! 



FUNDING AND CONTRIBUTIONS



The Fox Peak SKi Club is very grateful for funding and contributions from members, trusts and companies to help renovate, repair and improve the field and the facilities.


RECENT RENOVATIONS TO FOX LODGE

It's with a HUGE thank you to the Community Trust Mid and South (www.comtrust.org.nz) for the funding we received to re-roof and insulate Fox Lodge, and another big thank you to Canterbury Continuous Spouting for the generous donation of the new spouting. It was a big effort from the clubbies who helped out and such a great result. Check out the new roof below!
















CLUB MEMBERSHIP + SEASON PASSES



All season passes INCLUDE a full year's membership to the club.



 
CLUB MEMBERSHIP
ONLY
MEMBERSHIP + SEASON PASS
ADULT
$100
$200
COUPLE
$150
$310
FAMILY
$170
$400
STUDENT*
$50
$110
ASSOCIATE
$30
 
 
JOINING FEE
$25
$25


*High school or tertiary students must provide Student ID.



CONTACT



GENERAL ENQUIRIES / MEMBERSHIP


Blair Wilkinson - Club President
027 951 8024 | E: ski@foxpeak.co.nz

Treasurer/Account enquiries:
E: admin@foxpeak.co.nz

Ticket Office: (03) 685 8539
(in season only)

PO Box 6027, Allenton, Ashburton 7742, New Zealand 


EMPLOYMENT


The field is operated during weekends by club staff however occasionally we look at employing additional staff. Please contact us for further information.


credit when it's due...





We would like to thank the following people for their contributions of web build, content, images and video footage to help make our new site look simply awesome, and showcase just how amazing the place truly is:

Tim Keeley, Michael Keeley, Leigh Adams, Blair Wilkinson, Roland Dale, Lee Keeley, Grant Keeley, Hayden Dale, Chucky Eaton, John Evans, Grant Piper, Nick Smart, Catlins Surf, Miles Mason, Tim Mackenzie, Tony Gaz Blunt, Ben Comber, Alex Bowater, Riley Bathurst, Snowledge.co, Licence to Chill, Andrew Watson, Emma Etherington, Jeff Smith, Kester Brown, Guy Trethewey, Stef Zeestraten, Fraser McDougall, Josh Douglas, Richard Leacock.


Weather Data Providers




Current Weather
Data © Opuha Water Limited opuhawater.co.nz.
Data provided by Environmental Consultancy Limited ecs-limited.co.nz.




Canterbury High Country regional forecast
© Weather provided by MetService www.metservice.com.



Snow Forecast
© Weather Unlocked www.weatherunlocked.com.