New Ski Slopes At Temple Basin

Press, Volume C, Issue 29518, 20 May 1961, Page 5

New Ski Slopes At Temple Basin

'THE last summer has been A one of great development at most of Canterbury’s ski fields, and at Temple Basin, near Arthur’s Pass, work has been completed on a major project for opening up completely fresh ski-ing. slopes. The area known as Phipps Basin, west of the present ski 'slopes and shadowed by Mount Phipps (6800 ft has been made readily accessible by a new six-foot track blasted through rock bluffs, and the rope tow formerly used at the top Temple Basin has been shifted to this new site.

For many years, skiers have Looked at the Phipps Basin in winter and noted the way it holds good snow until late in the year. Recent poor winters at Arthur’s Pass as well as the great expansion of kindred clubs in

the Craigieburn Range spurred on the Christchurch Ski Club in its plans to open up the new slopes.

The first work was to blast the access track from the present bottom Temple Basin tow around steep bluffs at 5000 ft. It is 650 ft long, and took six weeks to complete.

A retaining fence has been built along the length of the track and will safeguard skiers if they lose their footing under icy conditions. The slopes of Phipps Basin are relatively steep, but in a good snow season, a 2000 ft ski run should be available. The tow will have a vertical lift of 700 ft.

Other development plans are also in band to bring Temple Basin in line with other clubs. The Canterbury University Ski Club has plans for a second hut with 30 bunks, and building should commence next season.

A beginners’ area has been opened up on the slopes of Mount Cassidy below the present huts, and a footbridge built across Twin Creek.