The Snow Farm has plans underway for two building projects: a new 32-bunk school hut and a new base building.

Snow Farm general manager Sam Lee said the Nordic ski area currently subsidises school visits to the two existing huts.

Thirty-three schools within the Southern region use the Snow Farm each year.

Sam said the planned school hut, to be called the Musterers’ Hut, would provide a better facility for the schools and other skiers.

The hut, which is planned for Tranquillity Basin, will include a lecture space, two kitchens, a utility shed and a toilet block.  

A resource consent application has been lodged for the Musterers’ Hut.

Concept plans have also been drafted for a new base building for the Snow Farm. 

A resource consent application for the new school hut has been lodged.

The Snow Farm currently has a licence to operate within part of the Southern Hemisphere Proving Ground (SHPG) lodge. 

However, this year the SHPG closed the remainder of the lodge building, including two cafes, and went into hibernation for the winter, waiting for government agencies to approve applications to bring products and people through the border into New Zealand.

“The main reason we have decided to build our own space is we need to be in control of the quality of experience we offer our guests,” Sam said. 

“This year with COVID and subsequent closure of the lodge and cafe space has had a negative impact on our guests and the experience provided to them while visiting us. It has clarified to us the need to be in control of the services and quality of those services for our guests.”

Sam said drawing up concept plans now gives the Snow Farm the opportunity to design the building around operating with social distancing measures in place. 

“Realistically we need to fundraise before we can apply for building consent, but we will proceed ahead with finalising the design and resource consent. A realistic timeframe will hopefully see the building in place for the 2023-2025 winter.” 

Sam said he hopes the primary source of funding for both proposed projects would be from community trusts, and the Snow Farm would also make a contribution.

The Snow Farm has also invested in a ‘Can-Am Defender’, a sturdy off-road vehicle designed for challenging environments, which allows staff to access the huts in ice and mud. This means that, rather than ending on closing day, the hut season has been extended until October 25.

The Pisa Alpine Charitable Trust manages the day to day operations of the Snow Farm under the subsidiary Snow Farm NZ Ltd. The charitable company acts on a not for profit basis with any surplus generated being reinvested into assets essential for the Snow Farm.

IMAGES: Supplied