Two alpine villages make it easy to turn a day on the snow into a proper Hurunui winter escape.
When winter settles over Hurunui, Hanmer Springs and Mt Lyford offer two very different ways to experience the mountains.
Both place visitors close to ski terrain while offering accommodation, food and plenty to do away from the slopes — which means there is little reason to rush back to the city at the end of the day.
Mt Lyford
Mt Lyford sits around an hour north of Hanmer Springs and has the feel of a small mountain settlement rather than a large resort.
Log-style accommodation and alpine stays are tucked into the surrounding hills, with Mt Lyford Ski Area nearby.
The ski field caters for a range of abilities, making it possible for beginners and more confident skiers or snowboarders to share the same mountain day.
For visitors looking for somewhere quieter, Mt Lyford's appeal is as much about the setting as the skiing.
Wake up in the mountains, head to the snow, come back to a warm lodge and repeat.
Hanmer Springs
Hanmer Springs offers a different kind of ski trip.
The village has cafés, restaurants, shops, accommodation and its famous thermal pools within a compact centre, while the Hanmer Springs Ski Area sits in the mountains beyond town.
The field has a relaxed atmosphere and terrain suited particularly well to beginner and intermediate visitors.
The best part comes afterwards
A day skiing does not need to end when the lifts stop.
In Hanmer Springs, tired legs can go straight from ski boots to thermal pools. In Mt Lyford, the evening might mean a meal beside the fire and a quiet night under a clear alpine sky.
That is what makes staying locally worthwhile.
Instead of treating the mountain as a day trip, the entire day becomes part of the winter experience.
Check snow and road conditions before travelling, pack for changing alpine weather and give yourself enough time to enjoy the villages as well as the slopes.
Hurunui winter is better when there is nowhere else you need to be.