Buying a Ski Field: Unusual Property Investment

Most ski fields around the world are leasehold operations. The operators don't own the land just the lifts and buildings. That is the case with all New Zealand ski field with rare exceptions such as Mt Lyford Ski Field in Canterbury which is now up for sale.

Located in the South Island's Kaikoura ranges, approximately 146km from Christchurch and 60km from Kaikoura on the coast and the famous hot springs of Hamner Mt Lyford isn't a huge field. Instead its a compact field which now boasts a new T-bar tow as well as a wild terrain park for snow-boarders. Accommodation at the field comes in the form of self-contained log chalets.

Featuring some of the highest-altitude skiing in NZ Mt Lyford attracted 20,000 skiers in the season just passed, and the 677ha of high country land also features a lodge and land subdivided for alpine chalets, with plans for a further 149 sections.

Mt Lyford Ski Field and Lodge

The ski field was developed by the Simpson family who turned to alternative land use when high-country farming of the land became uneconomic in the 1980's.

Obviously there are not that many freehold ski fields sold in NZ but the property is expected to fetch in the tens of millions of (NZ) dollars. With the current exchange rate this could be a bargain for an international investor looking for something different, with a lifestyle to match. New Zealand's open investment environment puts no restrictions on international investors wanting to purchase this type of property.

From a tourism point of view Mt Lyford is well positioned for visitors wishing to make international connections out of Christchurch and combine the beautiful Kaikoura coastline and possibly then continue north to Nelson's vineyards. The property would have a large summer potential market if further investment was made.

Mt Lyford is one of New Zealand's most affordable ski fields too with this season's day pass only NZ$60 - half what the major ski fields are charging. Admittedly T-bar's are a lot harder work than chair lifts :but check out the photos, no queues here.