# Ski instructors in Mt Cheeseman

> A family-run club field in the Craigieburn Range with two T-bars — the gentlest introduction to club field skiing.

- Region: Craigieburn, Canterbury
- Country: [New Zealand](https://alpinepal.com/en/ski-instructors/new-zealand)
- Time zone: Pacific/Auckland
- Currency: USD
- Coordinates: -43.15719, 171.669
- Wikidata: https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6920115

Page: https://alpinepal.com/en/resorts/mt-cheeseman
Last reviewed: 14 September 2026

## About Mt Cheeseman

Mt Cheeseman is the friendliest of the Craigieburn club fields, and the sensible place to start if you are curious about them: it has T-bars rather than nutcracker rope tows, so you do not need a harness or a new skill just to get uphill.

It sits in a sheltered basin, is family-run, and the atmosphere is closer to a mountain club than a business.

## Where lessons start

The club field experience without the nutcracker learning curve. Sheltered, quiet and welcoming — a good first taste of what this side of New Zealand skiing is about.

## Getting there

Christchurch is around an hour and a half, up the Craigieburn road. Chains are commonly required.

## Resort areas

- Base Area

## Meeting points

- Cheeseman day lodge

## Instructors at Mt Cheeseman

_No instructors have joined here yet._

## Qualifications required in New Zealand

New Zealand has no state licence. The professional standard is the Instructor certification (NZSIA / SBINZ).

## Frequently asked questions

### Do I need a nutcracker harness at Mt Cheeseman?

No. Mt Cheeseman runs T-bars rather than nutcracker rope tows, which is exactly why it is the sensible first club field: you get the sheltered basin, the family-run atmosphere and the mountain-club feel without needing a harness or a new skill just to get uphill. Christchurch is around an hour and a half up the Craigieburn road, and chains are commonly required.