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Thank you for booking your school trip to Porters. Below is some information you may find useful to plan your day. If you have any other questions, please contact us on office@skiporters.co.nz

Before your Trip

Organise Transport

If you're coming with a large group, you'll need an operator that knows the roads and is used to driving in alpine conditions. The following are frequently visitors to Porters: 

If you are a smaller group, you may decide to drive yourselves. There is plenty of parking available at Porters, and we offer a shuttle from the chain fitting bay at the base of the mountain when chains are required to reach the top. Read more about our shuttles and getting here. 

What to Bring

Staying warm and comfortable in the mountains is essential to having a fun time! Please make sure everyone knows to bring:

  • Waterproof jacket and pants (we have some available to hire – please ask in advance for details)
  • Warm layers of clothing
  • Warm, waterproof gloves or mittens
  • Warm socks
  • Goggles and/or sunglasses with full UV protection
  • Warm headwear or helmet (we have helmets available to hire if necessary)
  • Warm, sturdy footwear
  • Sunscreen for exposed skin and lips (minimum factor 15+)

Please ensure all personal property is securely stowed away on your trip. Lockers can be hired at Porters, or belongings can be kept on the bus. The Porters café is not a suitable place to store belongings. Please also make sure all personal belongings are not left outside; the curious Kea can cause a lot of damage! 

Lunch Options

Our café, located at car park level, has seating for 120 people and is for the sole use of café customers. We have a variety of hot tasty meals and snacks available. We can run a tab for your school, which can be settled before your departure or invoiced to your school at the end of your trip. If you decide to bring your own lunches, we have a lunch shelter available for you to use. 

Safety on the Mountain

At Porters, we take the safety of all our customers and staff very seriously. Everyone must follow the snow responsibility code, particularly ensuring that all gear is under their control at all times. All snowboarders must use leashes at Porters.

A RAMS (Risk Assessment Method Statement) document will be supplied following booking confirmation.

THE SNOW RESPONSIBILITY CODE

1. Stay in control at all times
Know your ability, start easy, be able to stop and avoid other people. Losing control is the number one cause of falls.
2. People below you have the right of way
The skier or boarder downhill of you has the right of way. Don’t forget to look above before entering a trail.
3. Obey all signage
Signs are there for your safety. Keep out of closed areas.
4. Look before you leap
Scope out the jumps first. Ensure the area is clear of others and use a spotter on blind jumps.
5. Stop where you can be seen
When stopping, try to move to the side of the trail and make sure you can be seen from above.
6. Don't lose what you use
Equipment must be secured while walking or stashing. This goes for rubbish too! Remember to take all your waste with you so it doesn’t become a hazard for others or the environment.
7. Stay on the scene
If you are involved in or witness an accident, remain at the scene and identify yourself to the ski patrol.
8. Respect gets respect
Right from the lift line, to the slopes, and through the car park – treat others as you would want to be treated.

Important Information for Parents 

We have created a form for parents that will help collect the information we require for each student prior to the trip. 

The school is responsible for the supervision of all students at all times. Porters’ Patrol provides a safe environment for all guests on the mountain, but are unable to provide any extra supervision for school trip students. Similarly, while our instructors manage the whole group during their lesson, it is important for school staff or parents to continue to supervise the students, particularly if a student should leave the lesson for any reason.

Porters has an aerial lift (the Easy Rider chairlift), and students will be able to access this lift if they are given a full mountain lift pass. It is the responsibility of the group leader to decide whether students have the ability and maturity to ride the chairlift without adult supervision. Porters will not grant access to this lift to any student without authorisation.

Porters also has a terrain park that is maintained by Porters and provides features for all levels of progression. The group leader will assess the competency of students to decide whether the terrain park is suitable for them.

Teachers or adults who are on the trip in a supervisory role are welcome to join the lessons with the students if they ski or ride at the same level as others in the lesson. 

On the Day of your Trip

Weather 

Please read our Snow Report to check the conditions for the day ahead. This is updated between 6am and 6.30am.

If the mountain is closed or on hold, please contact us during the day to arrange another date for your trip. If the mountain is open, we have decided that the conditions are suitable and your school trip will go ahead.

If Porters is open and you choose not to come on the day you are booked in, your group will incur a $10 cancellation fee per person.

Payment

Payment can be made on the day of your trip by the organiser, or your school can be invoiced. If an invoice is required, we must receive the email address for accounts by the day of your trip (at the latest).

Payment can be made by:

  • Credit Card
  • Cash
  • Bank Transfer
Cheques cannot be accepted

Contact Information

If you have any questions before or on the day of your trip, please call (03) 318 4731 or email office@skiporters.co.nz