This season will be “back to basics” at the Snow Farm base after the cross country ski area’s plans for a new base building were delayed.

Snow Farm general manager Sam Lee said he and the Pisa Alpine Charitable Trust (PACT) were “blindsided” by an unfavourable geotechnical report which identified uncompacted fill from 30 years ago on the chosen site for the new build.

“We’re just looking forward and we’re going to make the best of this season,” Sam said.

“This year we’re looking at portable buildings to run our rentals and other operations out of; potentially three - one large one and two smaller ones.

“It’s going to be a back to basics season for us.”

The Snow Farm previously had a licence to operate within part of the Southern Hemisphere Proving Ground (SHPG) lodge, but during the Covid-19 restrictions the SHPG closed much of the lodge.

As a result, the Snow Farm decided in winter 2020 it was time for its own base building, ensuring it would be in control of the quality of experience for guests.

Given the geotechnical report has made the planned site unfeasible, the Snow Farm is now adapting its base building plans for a new site around 45m away.

Plans for the new base building have had to be adapted.

The new location means the car park will also have to be changed, Sam said.

While the resource consent process now has to be completed, the Snow Farm is seeking donations to help with the project.

“There is an urgency behind donations,” Sam said, as the Snow Farm is a non-profit community asset with a major task ahead of it. 

On the bright side, Sam said the recent success of local biathlete Campbell Wright (20), who trains at the Snow Farm, has raised awareness of both cross country skiing and biathlon.

“It’s definitely having an effect - more kids are getting interested in biathlon, and the kids that are into it are seeing that they can travel and have more opportunities.”

Related: NZ first: Gold medal for Campbell Wright

Season pass bookings are up this year, as are hut bookings for the winter, Sam said.

People who are interested in donating to the Snow Farm’s new base building can do so here.

PHOTOS: Supplied