Porters Ski Area is the closest ski area to Christchurch, 89km from the international airport, just over an hours drive with an easy and short access road. The ski area caters for 35000 visitors per season, 86% from the Canterbury region. The season goes from mid June to mid October There is one carpet lift, one platter lift and three T-Bars plus a licensed café, full hire service, professional snow sport school and ski patrol. Porters has extensive snowmaking facilities, groomed slopes with various gradients from beginners to experts, short lift queues. The ski area is well known for its legendary runs like Big Mama & Bluff Face. From the top of the mountain there are the most spectacular views over the Southern Alps. There is on mountain accommodation with a 40 bed lodge plus backpackers accommodation in Springfield, 30km from the ski area or Castle Hill Village. Daily transport from Christchurch is available when the ski area is open. Porters has an extensive terrain park and from the top of the mountain there is good back country slopes to explore like Powder Bowl and Crystal Valley.