After getting a Kiwi bank account and buying a van it was time to head north to check out the Temple Basin ski area backcountry for the New Zealand Splitfest. It would be my first time heading to the area that I had heard amazing things about. Luckily with our arrival there was new snow to be ridden.
Day 1 in the visiting Temple Basin Ski Area
Temple Basin Ski area is a unique club field in Arthurs Pass National Park. Unlike most resort you have to hike an hour to get up to the resort.
But once we made it up into the basin we were blown away by the potential.
I was there to both check out the Temple Basin ski area backcountry as well as put on a slideshow for the Splitboard festival.
While most people were using the rope tows I was on a budget so we decided to skin to gain access to the resort.
They say all the terrain in Temple Basin ski field is backcountry and it is easy to see why. This was the main line back to the hut called the Laundry chute.
That afternoon I had the good fortune of meeting up with Ryan Nicol. We decided to do a quick hike out into the Temple Basin Ski Area backcountry.
As we rode down into a steep couloir we quickly found out the line didn’t go.
After a quick bootpack back up with were back at the hut and sharing beers with other splitboarder.
Day 2 exploring the ski area terrain
The next morning we woke up to clear skies. Scrambling to get our gear together as we took in the stunning views of Arthurs Pass National Park.
Soon enough we were back to skinning out into the Temple Basin Ski Area Backcountry.
During the day we went off to the backside of the ski resort and rode powder in the Mingha Bowl.
It was a great open bowl with lots of different technical and non technical options.
After a great day of exploring the Temple Basin Ski area backcountry we were back at the hut. That night I put on a slideshow for the Temple Basin Splitfest. It was a great crowd and we all had a blast as we joked about some of my epic sufferfests.
Day 3 putting on a clinic for the New Zealand Splitfest
For the final day I put on a small clinic and we were able to get to a summit and check out the endless options.
As we took in the views I quickly came to realize that Temple Basin ski field is a backcountry mecca. Everywhere you looked there were lines that could keep you busy forever.
It was an honor to be at the Temple Basin Splitboard Festival and explore the area. The resort has such a unique fill and I knew I would have to come back soon.
Thank you for reading and If you enjoyed reading this and want to see more ski tours within New Zealand check out this link