Porters is the closest ski field and is where you will do most of your training. It is known for its relaxed and friendly atmosphere, offering something for everyone, with cruising runs ideal for instructor training drills and steeper terrain like the mighty Big Mama and Bluff Face, which are the longest and steepest in bounds off-piste runs on a commercial ski area in the Southern Hemisphere, ideal for advanced skiers.

For those looking to work on their freestyle skiing Porters also has a newly constructed terrain park. "The Community Park" is made up of the mini park and the upper park. Both offer skiers the chance to hit up to 10 features in a single run comprising of jibs, small jumps, medium jumps, rails and boxes.

You will have access to five club field ski areas during your course. Porters is the largest but the club fields are renowed for their off-piste terrain, great snow, crowd free skiing, and great atmosphere. The most well known are:

• Broken River
• Mt. Olympus
• Mt. Cheeseman
• Craigieburn
• Temple Basin

Check out some footage from a Broken River day trip

These regions offer an off piste paradise with some of the Southern Hemisphere's best free skiing through steep untracked powder. They provide a unique experience with panoramic views free from development allowing you to enjoy steep chutes, drop offs, powder bowls and no grooming. Added to this, the slopes are practically empty resulting in fresh lines all day long on a powder day.

One thing that never changes between any of the resorts is the warm, local hospitality, and great skiing.

You will be staying in the town of Springfield which is surrounded by rolling farmland with the mighty Torlesse mountains towering above. There are a couple of restaurants for those wanting to eat out, as well as a convenience store for groceries. The area around the town is home to national parks, lakes, and rivers offering a full range of activities from rock climbing, skiing, kayaking, mountain biking, hiking, jet boating, horse riding and quad biking, making it ideal for outdoor enthusiasts.

Added to this the city of Christchurch, the South Island’s largest, is only an hour away so weekend trips are often available for those that want to explore what the wider region has to offer.

Your home for the course will be the Springfield Hotel which not only provides comfortable accommodation but is also the social hub of the town and where we provide meals. Each room has two single beds with a shared bathroom. There is a big lounge room, with a big screen TV and DVD player, a great place for chilling out after a hard day on the slopes.

The hotel has a popular pub which is the social scene for locals, those spending the winter season in Sprinfield, and weekend tourists coming up from Christchurch. It's a great place to be based and will quickly feel like home.

We provide breakfast and lunch seven days a week, and supper from Monday to Friday. This is the most meals offered by any course provider and we choose to do it this way so that so you can concentrate on your skiing with no need to worry about buying your own food. It's also better value for you as your living costs won't spiral out of control. Breakfast (toast, cereals, porridge, muesli, fruit) and lunch (sandwiches or pasta salad or quiche and fruit) are self service and will keep you well fuelled for an energetic day on the slopes. Our healthy filling evening meals provide a fun social occasion after a hard days skiing and are prepared by Malcolm and Chris, both excellent chefs, and owners of the hotel and restaurant.