Roundhill Ski Area facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Roundhill Ski Area |
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View from ski area's car park
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| Location | Lake Tekapo |
| Nearest city | Timaru |
| Coordinates | 43°49′32″S 170°39′21″E / 43.825679°S 170.655784°E |
| Vertical | 783 m (2,569 ft) |
| Top elevation | 2,133 m (6,998 ft) |
| Base elevation | 1,350 m (4,430 ft) |
| Skiable area | 550 ha (1,400 acres) |
| Runs | 14 |
| Lift system | 2 T-bars, 1 rope tow, 1 platter lift, 2 beginners rope tows |
| Terrain parks | 1 |
| Snowmaking | Yes |
| Night skiing | No |
| Website | http://www.roundhill.co.nz/ |
Roundhill Ski Area is a super fun place to ski and snowboard in New Zealand. It's a family-run ski area located in Canterbury, not too far from the pretty town of Lake Tekapo. You can find it in the Two Thumb Range mountains. It's about 1.5 hours from Timaru and 4 hours from bigger cities like Christchurch and Queenstown.
Exploring Roundhill Ski Area
Roundhill Ski Area is a great spot for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. It's especially good for beginners and those who are getting better at skiing. The area uses special machines to keep the snow smooth and perfect for riding.
Lifts and Terrain
To get up the mountain, you'll use different types of lifts. The main slopes are reached by two T-bar lifts. One of these, called T1, is about 1.2 kilometers long. There's also a shorter T-bar, T2. The base of the ski area is at 1,350 meters (about 4,429 feet) above sea level. The T-bars take you up to 1,620 meters (about 5,315 feet).
In 2010, a special lift called the "Heritage Express" rope tow was added. This lift is very steep and about 1.5 kilometers long. It takes you up 630 meters (about 2,067 feet) to the Richmond Ridge, which is at 2,133 meters (about 6,998 feet) high! This makes Roundhill have the biggest vertical drop in New Zealand, at 783 meters (about 2,569 feet). The Heritage Express opens up a large area with lots of fresh, ungroomed snow for advanced skiers and snowboarders. It's even said to be the longest rope tow in the world!
Slopes for Everyone
Roundhill has a good mix of slopes for different skill levels:
- Advanced: 35% of the slopes are for expert skiers and snowboarders.
- Intermediate: 45% of the slopes are perfect for those who are comfortable on their skis or board but aren't experts yet.
- Beginners: 20% of the slopes are gentle and safe for people who are just starting out.
