Just over 2 hours from Christchurch, Hanmer Springs Ski Area is situated in the North of New Zealand's South Island on Mt. St. Patrick (1850m).  The skiing is around a 40 minute drive from the alpine thermal holiday resort of Hanmer Springs.  Skiing at Hanmer Springs is especially good for anyone of intermediate grade.

Access to the runs is by way of one of the longest poma lifts in the country and two rope tows. These tows are well known for running virtually from dawn to dusk - as the resort says "Why should we cut someone's fun short?"  The road out of Hanmer to the access road is clearly marked as Clarence Valley road and signed to Hanmer Springs Ski Area.  The turn off from Clarence Valley road to the ski area is at St James Station, about ten kilometres out of town. The access road is a short but narrow gravel road with a few tight corners.

The road is not recommended for camper vans, but two wheel drive cars with chains fitted normally have no problem, and four wheel drives can often get up without chains, especially later in the season. Chains must always be carried.