Read skier and snowboarder-submitted reviews on Mt. Cheeseman Ski Resort that rank the ski resort and mountain town on a scale of one to five stars for attributes such as terrain, nightlife and family friendliness. See how Mt. Cheeseman Ski Resort stacks up in the reviews, on and off the slopes, from skiing and family activities to the après scene. Read up on pros, cons and other comments in reviews left by fellow skiers and riders. Don't forget to submit your own Mt. Cheeseman Ski Resort review! Scroll to the bottom of this page to let other travelers know about your skiing and resort experience.
Reviews for Mt. Cheeseman Ski Resort
Total (3.0)
A ski resort's overall star rating displayed here is not calculated based on a simple average but takes several factors, including the age of a review, into account.
I have called myself a skier pretty much since I was able to walk, and I have found Mt Cheeseman a great ski hill to ski at throughout all my years on skis.
The facilities and runs really do cater to any person or ability. The learners slope is right next to the day lodge so excellent for families and first timers. After that its up the T bar to more beginner and intermedate runs. And the second T bar access' the more adventurous stuff. The ski hill is a big bowl with lots of variation throughout it so even though it does not boast the most vertical of any ski hill, every run is different. After 25 years skiing there I am still finding new lines to excite me. The backcountry is able to be accessed right from the top of the second T bar so all in all I reckon Cheeseman has it all.
The day lodge is fantastically located at the bottom of the ski area, right next to the car unload area, so there are no long walks with gear. The day lodge is one of the best lodges I have come across, with amazing views both up the ski hill and across the valley. It has large indoor and outdoor seating areas which caters for all types of weather and are perfect for families to spend time in or around. The cafe is also a winner.
The accommodation is typical of a New Zealand ski hill. That means it is simple but very comfortable and there is everything you need after a day skiing. The lounge is a great place to hang out and socialise and you are always bound to meet new people. It's also a great place to have a chat with the staff and get to feel like you are more than a guest, kind of part of a family. And that feeling of being at home is half the reason why I keep coming back. I know I can turn up there on my own but always find someone I know or don't to ski with.
So if you are after a relaxed, friendly skiing experience, regardless of your ability, I think Cheeseman is a great place to go. I have so many fond memories of skiing there as a kid and recently and I can't wait to have kids to take there and give them the same experience.
adrian
I've skied at Mt Cheeseman for a number of years and keep going back as the people are always friendly. I can always find a good variety of runs, and the sunny day lodge is a great place to have a break with excellent food and coffee from the cafe. I really enjoy staying on the mountain at Snowline Lodge, the atmosphere is great and it is a nice way to meet people. In the morning I can ski from the lodge door to ride the T-bar.
pavlos
After buying a voucher of 1 of the deal websites i was really looking forward to visiting Mt Cheeseman, after reading the reviews and looking at the website everything was looking good.
But this was not the case when i arrived. I had booked up to arrive on a Sunday for 3 nights but as i was excited i got there a day early, i rang ahead to make sure there was room for me and then set off. When i arrived there was no one around it was like a ghost town. I searched around for about 45 mins but couldn't find anyone. As i was looking i found another guest but he had the same problem as he was looking for a member of staff also. I had a look on the slope but everything was closed this was at around 3.30pm. I decided to head off to find somewhere else to stay at this point i was already regretting making my booking.
I arrived bright and early the next day thinking i would give it another go and not let the previous day spoil my break. The lifts where open and i found a member of staff straight away.
They showed me to my room but the snowline lodge was filthy as you walked in, it looks like gypsy camp there was bits and pieces of carpet down and the walls where dirty and this place is tryin to charge $90 a night.
I went onto the slope but came straight back down as there was hardly any snow. It said on the website that there was 90cm of snow on the lower slopes this must be measured on a area no one skies, on the lower slopes the snow was brown and rocks where coming through all over the piste.
I was really angry at this point as i really look after my ski equipment and have had it years without ever scratching the underside and in 10 mins i had put some big scrapes in them.
In my deal i had breakfast and dinner, 3 nights accommodation and 4 days lift pass for $250 which is a awesome deal. But when i went back i sat in the lounge and waited for dinner to be served but nothing came. Some people came into the lounge/kitchen and cooked food but never offered anything. I sat and waited till around 8.30pm and still no one came. I was now really hungry so decided to ask the people who had cooked the food if i could please have some i really felt bad as there was no where open to buy food so really had no other choice. They gave me some which i was very grateful for.
I then went to bed in my freezing cold room wrapped up in my ski clothes and in my sleeping bag. When i woke up in the morning it was a beautiful sunny morning i went into the kitchen to see if breakfast was ready but there was no one there. I then decided to leave as this place was really wrecking my break.
For anybody thinking to visit Mt cheeseman i would really think twice. If there is a good deal on and they have had a massive dump of snow then maybe give it a go for a day but no longer.
Angela
Mt Cheeseman is a lovely sunny ski area only an hour and a half from Christchurch. It has nice wide open terrain which beginners and intermediates will love.
Cheeseman is a great club field to start off at if you are planning a few days in the Craigieburn area. It is the only clubbie in the area with T-bars rather than nutcrackers which will ease you slowly into the club field experience. For this reason it is perfect for families and those still gaining confidence on the snow.
From the first T-bar you can ride nice rolling terrain back to the base and with a bit of traversing manage some nice lines in the powder too. From the second T-bar you can hike along the ridge to the top of Mt Cockayne which provides those a bit more advanced with a great run down especially on a powder day. If you don't mind a bit of a hike there is plenty of terrain available for the adventurous and more experienced. The views are spectacular of Castle Hill basin and over the back to the Alps. There are quite a few little natural hits and lips to play around with which can keep you occupied for a while.
The cafe is pretty good with loads of seating both inside and out so that you can enjoy the sun. I would definitely recommend Cheeseman to those looking for a fun, cruisy day on the snow.
great family friendly club ski field. High alpine lodge and skiing at the doorstep. great ski touring within easy access of the tows- terrain from mellow to extreme.
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