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If you like your family skiing holidays at little less frenetic than Queenstown, you'd love Lake Tekapo village and the ski fields nearby. The ski fields are a lot less sophisticated than you'll find further south, but the Tekapo fields have an allure all their own. Roundhill, Dobson, and Ohau are all easily accessible from Lake Tekapo.

Skiing for Families at Roundhill 

Roundhill Ski Field Overview

Roundhill is a gem of a ski field that’s a fabulous place to learn to ski or snowboard. With the variety of terrain on offer there’s something for everyone from young first timers to pros. 

The Best Place to Stay 

Tekapo village is close by and there are heaps of accommodations options including backpackers, Airbnb and the luxury Peppers Resort. Tekapo also has the Hot Springs thermal pools, and plenty of dining options. You can also hire bikes at Outside Sports Tekapo if you want a day off skiing. We also have an awesome selection of snow apparel and footwear (but not boots or hardware sorry – get that from our big stores in Wanaka or Queenstown or shop with us online). 

How to Get to Roundhill Ski Field 

Roundhill is located on the eastern edge of Lake Tekapo a bit under 40kms (a little over 30 minutes drive) from Tekapo village. Head east past the famous Church of the Good Shepard and turn left onto Lilybank Road. This road turns to gravel soon after the turn off. You skirt the lake edge for a bit over 20kms then the ski field road is on the right. It’s a fairly short and well-maintained road, but you will sometimes need to put on tyre chains – and as with every ski field in NZ you must always carry them with you in the car. 

Roundhill Terrain 

The are two basic terrain types at Roundhill. The first is lovely gently rolling slopes ideal for progressing from learner to confidentlycarving skier or boarder. The second is a steep wide-open powder nirvana that’s the closest thing you’ll get to heli-skiing, without needing a chopper.  

Best Family Ski Trail 

The T1 T-bar lift serves a variety of runs from super easy to advanced making it great for all levels of skiers and boarders. You can ride up together and then choose your own way down.  

Being a T-Bar means it’s not suitable for absolute beginners – but they can gain their confidence at the excellentlearners area near the base buildings, which has rope tows and a platter lift. 

Roundhill Facilities 

While they’re not flash like the Remarkables or Coronet Peak they do the trick – and the restaurant serves Fairlie Pies! You basically haven’t lived until you’ve had a Fairlie Pie. Mt Dobson also serves them. 

Lift Tickets 

Buy your lift passes on the mountain from the ticket office located in the top carpark. 

Gear Rentals 

There are ski and snowboard rentals on the mountain with good quality gear. Alternatively you can hire gear at Fairlie, which is around 90 minutes from the skifield on the main route to Christchurch. 

Ski Lessons 

The ski school teaches skiing and snowboarding. If you want a lesson see the ski school office on the mountain. You can’t book in advance. You can also buy First Timer's packages which include rental gear, lift pass, and a 1 ½ hour lesson. 

Hot tips 

Head to Tekapo Springs for a soak in a hot pool after skiing. It does wonders for achy legs.  

Skiing for Families at Mt Dobson 

Mt Dobson Ski Field Overview 

Mount Dobson or Dobo as the local like to call it is a high latitude basin with reliable snow cover and what could be New Zealand’s most scenic access road. The road is well maintained and wends its way through two active sheep stations and ends at NZ’s highest carpark.It’s quite likely you’ll need chains as the road can be icy towards the top – so be prepared. 

It’s not big or flash, but Dobo has a special charm all its own, and is a great family ski field. 

The Best Place to Stay 

Fairlie is ten minutes from the bottom of the access road, Kimbell and Burkes Passare five minutes, and Tekapo village is around 25 minutes drive, so there are lots of good accommodation options.  

Having said that, Fairlie, Kimbell and Burkes are allvery quiet, so if you want a bit of apres ski action, other things to do, and multiple dining options then Tekapo is your best bet.

How to get to Mt Dobson Ski Field  

From Tekapo head east through Burkes Pass and look for the sign on the left 10km past Burkes. If you’re coming from Christchurch head through Fairlie and Kimbell – the Dobo sign will be on your right about 10km after Kimbell. 

Mount Dobson Terrain 

Dobo is a moderately sized ski field but it manages to pack in a lot. There’s something for everyone in the family from a really long beginner platter lift to steep alpine chutes for the pros. 

The Best Family Ski Trail 

The Saddle Chairlift serves a range of trails rated from easy to difficult. Heading down to the skiers right of the chair take you on a wide groomer, with the option to drop into a gully under the chair.  

Mount Dobson Facilities 

Dobo is pretty basic, but it has everything you need including a small cafe with great coffee and delicious Fairlie Pies.  

Lift Tickets 

Like Ohau, Dobo still runs with the sticky paper tickets that fix onto a wire bail that you hook through a zipper pull. It’s all part of the experience. You buy your tickets on the mountain from the office in the main carpark. 

Gear Rentals 

There is ski and board hire on the mountain with free helmets for kids and teens. Hire is also available in Fairlie. 

Ski Lessons 

Dobo has a professional ski school that runs private and group lessons. You can enquire about lessons and see the prices here. 

Hot tips 

Practice fitting your tyre chains to your vehicle before you go anywhere near a ski field road. Even though you might be allowed to drive up the road without chains in the morning doesn't mean you won't need them to get down in the afternoon. NZ alpine weather can change really fast and you must be prepared for it.

Skiing for Families at Lake Ohau 

Ohau Ski Field Overview

 Ohau is around 90 minutes drive from Lake Tekapo village, so it’s doable as a day trip if you’re staying at Tekapo – it's also a fantastic place to stop off if you’re travelling to or from the Wanaka and Queenstown ski fields. 

You can read our detailed guide to family skiing at Ohau on our article about Wanaka ski fields here. 

Prepare for Your Next Adventure:


HIKING


RUNNING


BIKING


SKIING

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