Road report SH73 Porters Pass Open Arthur's Pass Open Off-season Winter: open 7am – 8pm, night-before pick-ups
Springfield · SH73 · Canterbury club fields

The last ski shop before the rope tows.

Skis, boards, nutcrackers, harnesses, chains and avalanche kit for Broken River, Craigieburn, Cheeseman, Olympus, Temple Basin and Porters. Pick up the night before, drop off on your way home.

No hire on most club fields. That's why we're here.

The road west from Springfield heading into the snow-covered Southern Alps
From our door · SH73 west
  • ↑Porters25
  • ↑Mt Cheeseman42
  • ↑Craigieburn45
  • ↑Broken River47
  • ↑Temple Basin88
Morning field report

We ring the fields at 6:30 so you don't have to.

Every winter morning Jamie phones round the club fields and checks the road cams. Here's what's running, what the access roads are like, and whether you'll need a nutcracker.

Called in this morning —
FieldTowsAccess roadNutcracker?Notes

Our report is a heads-up, not gospel. Always check the field's own snow report and the NZTA road status before you leave.

Hire prices · per day

Everything the club fields don't rent you.

Most Canterbury club fields don't hire gear on the hill. Pick up from us on the way in, or the night before, and drop off on your way home. Prices are NZD incl. GST. Multi-day rates are on the hire page.

Adult · ski

Ski package

All-mountain skis, boots and poles. Fitted properly, with bindings set to your weight and ability.

$55per day
Adult · board

Board package

Board, boots and a quick stance check. Rope tows on a board are a skill, so ask us for the trick.

$55per day
Add-on

Nutcracker + harness

A Canterbury-made nutcracker on a lanyard plus a padded harness. We'll show you how before you leave.

$15per day
Car

Snow chains

Sized for your tyres at pick-up, with a practice fit in our yard. Club field access roads often need them.

$20per trip
Safety

Avalanche kit

Transceiver, probe and shovel. We check your beacon with you at the counter before you go.

$35per day
Backcountry

Touring setup

Touring skis, skins and boots for the ridges above the tows. Ask about Temple Basin's walk-in.

$95per day
HARNESS (round your hips) NUTCRACKER on a short lanyard ROPE RUNS UPHILL → 1 2 3 4
Rope Tow 101

Never used a nutcracker? Nobody's born knowing.

  1. Grab the rope gentlyLet it slide through your glove to match speed. Don't clamp it hard straight away.
  2. Flip the nutcracker overHook it over the rope from behind, with the hinge on top.
  3. Squeeze and lean backClose the arms around the rope and let your harness take the pull. Skis straight up the track.
  4. Release before the wheelOpen the arms and step off to the side. Never ride into the bullwheel.

Full rope tow guide →

How it works

Pick up tonight. First tow tomorrow.

Club field days start early, and the access roads are a slow drive. So we fit you the night before and you're on the road at dawn.

Before you leave home

Book online

Choose your gear and dates, and enter your height, weight, boot size and ability, plus your tyre size if you want chains. Sign the hire agreement on your phone.

The night before · till 8pm

Get fitted

Boots fitted, bindings set, nutcracker demo in the shop, chains test-fitted on your car in the yard. Usually 15 minutes.

On your way home

Drop it off

Back through Springfield before 8pm? Drop it at the counter. Later than that, use the after-hours return shed. Boots go on the dryers, so leave them unbuckled.

A kea spreading its wings to show the orange underside
Car park etiquette

The kea will eat your car.

The world's only alpine parrot lives up here, and it's clever, cheeky and endangered. Kea love the rubber on wipers and window seals, unattended packs, and anything with a zip.

  • Don't feed them. Ever. Human food makes them sick.
  • Lift your wipers off the glass and shut every window.
  • Don't leave packs, gloves or skins on the roof box.
  • Take a photo, then give them space.
What people say

4.9 on Google. Mostly about the chains.

S
Sophie W.Christchurch · a month ago
★★★★★

First time at Broken River and I was terrified of the nutcracker. Jamie showed us on a rope he's got strung up in the shop. Took me three goes on the first tow, then I was fine. Gear was mint.

M
Mark T.Australia · 2 months ago
★★★★★

Hired chains and they made us practise fitting them in the yard. Thought it was overkill until we got to the bottom of the Craigieburn road and had to do it in the sleet. Legends.

A
Aroha & PeteRangiora · 3 months ago
★★★★★

Picked up at 7:45pm on a Friday, kids' gear sorted in 20 min. Dropped off Sunday night in the return shed. Season hire for the kids next year for sure.

The Southern Alps under winter snow
Next southerly

Book before the snow does.

When a big southerly's forecast, Friday night fittings book out by Wednesday. Get in early and we'll have your gear on the bench.

Book your gear →