WHAT IS CUSSC
Canterbury University Snow Sports Club (CUSSC)
The club your parents warned you about. If you’re into Skiing, Snowboarding, Mountaineering or any/all things snow ( or just want to make some new friends), come join us!
When the snow is on we run weekend events at our very own lodge, located in the heart of the Southern Alps. The Temple Basin experience is unlike any other - a club field with gnarly terrain and true class. You get lift tickets, food, accommodation, and the experience of a lifetime for a fraction of commercial fields.
We also run events throughout the year in Christchurch - think ice skating, bus parties, trampoline nights, waxing nights, movie nights, BYO’s and more!
Need some gear? CUSSC runs the biggest snow sale in the southern hemisphere every May. Get amongst, and help out if you want first dibs!
Need some friends? We’re a super social bunch and organise carpooling to ski fields through our facebook group - CUSSC Transport Forum.
There’s a really, really bad cliche I should use here - oh yeah! Prepare to start the rest of your life.
FAQ
Don’t know where to begin? Here are some frequently asked questions:
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YO!! This looks absolutely sick!!
Not a question but thank you, I agree.
Your events sound awesome! Do I need to be a member to attend these?
Yes! Signup at UC clubs day or here on our website. Only $25 to join the raddest club on campus!
Will Temple Basin open this year?
Go plant a tree, carpool, buy secondhand and pray to the snow gods. I certainly have been.
I heard that CUTC and UCCC also slap goon, is this true?
Those are some bold claims from the virgins of the outdoors clubs. They tickle it. WE slap it.
Do you like snowboarders?
Meh, maybe. Split boarders, we tolerate but they’re on THIN ICE. (Jk we love all those who worship the snow gods).
What’s a work party?
Wouldn’t you like to know. A free weekend in the basin in exchange for a bit of mahi sound like you? Info in our emails, it sounds to me sounds like someone wants to join CUSSC.
You guys seem so cool, how will I know I will fit in?
Come get involved! We froth skiing, you froth skiing, let’s watch a sunset over Mt Rolly on the lodge roof drinking Speights and see. Plus there’s a guaranteed 5% increase in sex appeal once you join CUSSC (scientifically proven).
What is a goon?
A 3L country medium white wine, in a bag. Gods gift to us.
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Only the best place on Earth!
Check it out here
Do I need to know how to ski to come up Temple Basin?
Temple Basin is tricky for beginners as there are no groomed slopes and only rope tows. However, we do run a learners event early season to get you started, and there is always fun to be had up da basin!
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You guys said you run weekend ski events?
Hell yeah we do! We try and run as many weekend events as possible during the season up at our lodge in Temple basin. Check out the ‘Events’ tab above. Find the event pages on Facebook or get on our mailing list by signing up!
I’m a student. How much is this hurting my bank account?
A typical weekend event is about $90, including food, accommodation and carpooling (transport).
Yeah, yeah, what about the skiing?
My glorious CUSSC frother, rejoice. Your choices include the cheapest season pass IN NZ or a member day pass for only $50! Temple basin runs on rope tows, so nutcracker hire is also available for free for members.
Where to hire the gear!?
Head to McEwings Ski and Board hire and get kitted out!
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Am I expected to help out around the lodge?
Yes! That’s how we keep our events so cheap, the blood sweat and labour of our committee and club. Chipping in to help with the cooking, dishes, preparing food, cleaning the showers/toilets, vacuuming, mopping etc is expected. If you make a mess, you clean it up, and if you help out without us asking we’ll love you forever.
Why can’t I take my spare alcohol back to Christchurch?
No one knows, goods lift just won’t accept it if you try to take it off the mountain. I’m sorry, but I don’t make the rules.
Tell me more about this lodge?
Ahh, the CUSSC lodge. A (mostly) waterproof, 50 bunk, fully insulated, double glazed ski lodge with a view across the valley directly at Mt Rolly. Complete with hot showers, flushing toilets, a recently renovated drying room, kitchen, freshly painted dining room, dedicated dance floor, bad boiiii speaker system, disco lights - I mean I could continue but I don’t need to. You’re eating right out of my hand.
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What do I need to bring?
A GOOD ATTITUDE!!
For an event weekend: Sleeping bag, appropriate (ideally) hiking or walking shoes, a towel, toiletries, raincoat, dance moves, clothes to hang out in including something WARM to wear, any personal meds, maybe a torch, any personal protection you feel you might need, and something spicy to wear on the D-floor.
Rodger boss, anything else I should know about gear?
Funny you should ask, try to have all your stuff in a duffel style bag or tramping pack. Drop it at the goods lift on Saturday and bribe a committee or TBSC member to send it up the hill for you. A tramping bag is good just in case goods lift decides not to run, otherwise all you need for the walk is a drink bottle and spare layer.
Should I bring togs and a towel?
Yep, for the thermal hot pools of course!
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How do I stay safe up the mountain?
Attend a safety meeting (ideally the fire briefing ;) wear your transceiver AT ALL TIMES so people know how safe you are, and maybe ask a committee member.
I want to go backcountry / explore, what should I do?
Temple has some of the best terrain in the world, but please be safe. Get a group together, talk to ski patrol, ensure you have the skills, equipment and knowledge to be safe. The club does not encourage going out of terrain boundaries and you do so at your own risk.
Remember when you sign up to events we take your emergency contact details too! And of course our lovely Exec are always there to help out.
That is all from me folks! Hit us up on our socials if you have any more questions, or find me on the hill. I’ll race you across to Elevator, spray snow in your face through Lower Bill’s basin, and maybe (just maybe) share a beer with you while you help me with dinner.
Remember you are in an alpine environment - take some personal responsibility. Go find a committee member up the hill to bug with your questions, and remember, enjoy it. It’s Temple Fucking Basin.
HISTORY
We’ve been around since 1941
A.P.N.P. Board meeting at Temple Basin, 1968. Photos of huts, cables etc. Negatives 36-43
In 1929, skiing in the Arthur’s Pass area blossomed with the arrival of Oscar Coberger and the founding of the Christchurch Ski Club.
After much discussion the club agreed to accept women members. George Lockwood elected secretary, Roy Twyneham president, Ted Ferrier treasurer. They agreed to approach the Park Board for funds to build a ski hut at Temple Basin & our field was born
In 1933 the first hut with 16 bunks was built at Temple Basin, in 1936 the club purchased a lodge in the village as well. And in 1941 the Canterbury University Ski Club (aka CUSSC) formed at Temple
In 1959 the goods lift finally began construction and was finished the following year. With building materials now easily accessible to the lodge, in 1961 the CUSC lodge (us!) started construction with a proposed 30 bunks. It was completed three years later at the cost of 5000 pounds & much hard work
In 1988, TBSAM (Temple Basin Ski Field Management was established, a club with members of both CUSC & TBSC who would oversee the field, this arrangement ran untill 2002, where TBSC assumed responsiblity for the field & CUSC retained the responsibility for their lodge and assisting TBSC with the running of the field.
STORIES
We’ve been around since 1941
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someone slapped a goon, honestly, it could have started this way!
1927: The first skiing recorded at Arthurs Pass, introduced by Guy Butler.
1941: The ‘Canty Uni Ski Club’ (CUSC) was established. Travel to the field was difficult in these early days due to World War 2.
1948 (May 31st): The first tow was installed when 30 university students under the direction of Charlie Caplin, J. Montgomery, W Beaven, and Jan Kitson winched 1.5 tons uphill and installed first tow ready for the season at £500.
1952: The original canterbury ski club (CSC) hut was sold to the CUSC (us) for £300.
1953: The new CSC hut was finished lead by John Bushell.
1954: The Jeep Track was built by the Park Board. It was surveyed by University Engineers.
1959: The new CUSC Hut was designed by Paul Pascoe and goods lift construction began.
1961: Work began on the new CUSC hut in 1961 with an initial proposal for 30 bunk beds. Downhill track was constructed and downhill tow was installed.
1962: Goods lift officially opened! No longer did we have to walk everything up! Electricity was finally supplied to both hits via a 4 KW diesel generator.
1964: The University Hut was completed. Project cost £6,000 after 3 summers of hard work. 80 tons of building materials carried up by Goods Lift and then by “Coolie” style to hut. All up about 3,500 “man days” involved in construction. The hut with 30 bunks has a floor area of 1,800 sq.ft. Hut shell completed by March 1964. Severe damage to the roof by gale-force winds.
1965: The University Hut was opened by Lance McCaskill (APNP Board Chairman) on 5th June 1965.
1966: Page Hut construction started in February. The 40ft x 20ft hut was designed by Paul Pascoe and funded by Nancy Page, CSC, CUSC, and APNP Board. Work parties of up to 80 people completed the construction with labour supplied by CBHS, CSC, CUSC and Hans Bohny for skilled stonework and major building construction. A helicopter lifted 69 loads to the site.
1966: Cassidy Tow was constructed. Ben Zella (instructor) assisted with the build of Cassidy. Membership 600.
1968: Cassidy Tow was in operation. Had a long ski season with exceptional snow depths. Downhill basin was buried until Xmas.
1968: University hut renovations. Old hut extension completed in the previous summer. Automatic fire alarm systems and fire hydrants installed in the new hut.
1968 Page Hut opened on June 1st. Downhill Tow was buried from August - December.
1972: Lockwood shelter constructed. Additions to CSC Hut included a new custodians room and canteen.
1972: Downhill Tow was wrecked by an avalanche with the tow shed buried under 15 Ft. of snow. Page Hut was also damaged.
1976: CUSC hut additions. Stage 1 & 2 completed extension to lounge & new accommodation of 20 bunks.
1977: The original CSC hut was removed. It served CSC and the University for well over 44 years!
1979: The 50th anniversary for CSC was held in Lockwood shelter.
1983: The CSC village hut was sold for $30,000.
1983: Power was finally investigated for Temple Basin.
1992: An avalanche in Downhill Basin damaged the Tow Shed and Page Hut. A huge effort reinstated the tow after 2 weeks.
1993: Page Hut was repaired after the avalanche and Cassidy and Downhill tows were repaired.
1994: Stage 2 temple hut completed on June 3. Construction costs were $219,397.
2000: A good snow season. Open for 100 days.
2006: Goods lift top station was destroyed.
2007: Goods lift cable replaced. Club initative with support from CUSC. Twin creek bridge (just below Lockwood) was destroyed and was pulled back in 2009 with lots of student help (~30).
2015: a water leak was discovered when a pipe burst, water had been sitting for over a month causing a lot of damage. Hawkins construction came up during 2015/2016 summer completing over $400,000 of repairs to the University Lodge.
2020: While dealing with the challenges of a global pandemic (COVID-19) there was also not enough snow to open the ski field.
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When Sir Arthur Pass first traversed his namesake in 1864, skiing in New Zealand was unheard of. Sixty-three years later a humble fellow named John Temple carried his skis on horseback from Templeton (Christchurch) to a great basin of snow-covered terrain, just north of Arthurs Pass. When he arrived on a winter’s day in 1927, skiing occurred for the first time at the so-called Temple’s Basin. This birthed the great ‘Canterbury Ski Club’ (CSC).
Over the next 14 years, the club grew into a great ski field and the number of pioneers coming to the new Temple Basin exceeded all expectations. The isolation and escape of this new sport attracted many students from the University of Canterbury, and by 1941 their numbers were so vast that the need for the Canterbury University Ski Club (CUSC) was realized. CSC diverged into two clubs; Temple Basin Ski Club (TBSC) and CUSC.
Canterbury University Ski Club – Founded 1941 – Temple Basin – Arthurs Pass.
Things ticked along just fine for a long time. But after a while, the University students were running out of places to store their beer, whiskey and women. The chief negotiator, Keith, came up with a cunning deal to purchase Temple Basin Ski Club’s (TBSC) old hut off them for 5 shillings and 500 pack loads up the mountain. After 5 years of toiling, renovations and plenty of drinking, CUSSC[d1] opened a fully functional lodge in 1965 and University students like me and you have maintained it to this day.
Between 1950 and 1980 the ski field saw the addition of a goods lift, mains power and most importantly, 3 new rope tows. In the 80’s most people would be content with a warm lodge in the middle of the mountains, ski tows outside your front door and beer to last you through the cold winter nights. However in the 80’s us Uni students wanted more!
Up until now, the day to day running of the field had been organized by older people who were on their way out. In 1988, we said we could do better, so UC students started running the ski field and the TBSAM was born (Don’t even ask). To this day the ski field is run year in year out by collaboration between keen skiers, University students, and middle aged humans who wish they were still university students.
Temple Basin – A ski field created by students, ran by students and definitely for the students.
That is the story, and year in year out I am there.
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With winter in full swing, it makes plenty of sense that the snow sports club members holidays were spent in the mountains. It started with a huge weekend at Temple Basin as the annual Gnomes Free Ride event went down at Temple Basin. This set the tone for the whole week as members stayed on for the whole of ski week. Skiing, hiking, socializing and drinking created an amazing week that ended on the Friday with the powder day of the season. This ended just in time to catch up with the k2 big mountain comp at Cragieburn and see Linus The Penis (club pro) battle it out with the best in New Zealand. Wednesday, Week 2 of the holidays and some cold precip is coming, it's dumping! Just in time for the Black Diamond comp to go off on the weekend at Temple B. By the time we’re all back at Uni reading this, I’m sure Dan Bond and Linus The Penis would have blown the competition away on the best terrain in New Zealand. Here’s my account
My term break started for me at 8 am on Friday morning; assignments were all finished and I was on the road. A morning of driving round Christchurch in the ‘Temple Truck’, 40 dozen beer, plenty of homebrew vodka, loads of free Red Bull and enough food to feed an army, the truck is fully laden. Enter the first wave of humans. 15 of us loaded all our gear onto the truck and started the pub crawl to Temple Basin.
In a frenzie of Do Bro’s, panda onesies, eggs, potential hawks and competitive banter, things were getting out of hand. Club Captain had to call a meeting to discuss safety at the top of Porters Pass, and thankfully we arrived at the car park a little after 9 pm. We’ve got this. After a boost up the Temple Track under the starlight, steak and wine time was on the menu, we settled in for a good nights sleep.
And good it was! Saturday morning rolled around and I looked out the window. Visibility was at zero and the temperature was 2 above. The call had to be made to postpone the Gnomes Freeride until the Sunday. Now we had a dilemma. 70 more humans were on the walking track ready for the weekend and we had no main event. Word got down the hill and people started to drown their sorrows in a sack of goon. Humans arrived at the lodge that Saturday in various states of sobriety. I dragged a few out skiing; the rest had a treasure hunt of the photographic variety. Crisis was averted and everyone had an awesome afternoon.
I arrived back at the lodge at 4 pm, the dance floor was raging prematurely as Macklemore and Ryan Lewis arrived for a one song set, dinner was on the stove and there was no shortage of pre dinner drinking games. I was in the room for little under a minute before I was offered a hoon on three goons and a bottle of moonshine. Big thanks to the girls in the kitchen who got dinner on the table and Jacob Dalberg for his post dinner stand up to set the tone. The night continued on with all sorts of antics and before I knew it, it was 4 am. Even a seasoned veteran like myself was impressed when I realized the dance floor had lasted a full 12 hours. Forget Mel Gibson in Braveheart, a 12 hour d-floor defines charging hard.
Sunday morning came around and conditions were slightly improved. The decision was made to fight the hangover and give the competition the green light. With the expert guidance of pro skier turned mountain manager Todd Windle (look him up, he’s a big deal) decided on a venue and gave the briefing over the finest of cooked breakfasts. By 1 pm, fighting patches of low cloud, the first run went down. Stickie Nickie broke the ice with a smooth run, but was trumped by the 3 girls from out of town who were sending it huge in flat light. They couldn’t see shit! It was truly remarkable.
The boys came next. Not to be shown up by the girls, two boarders Canning Mason and Sam Good hucked and tucked huge methods, paying the price with 2 massive crashes and one torn ACL. The skiers did a little better and some tidy runs were thrown down. Worthy of note were Tasty Jack’s smooth run and Dan I’s tidy 3 off a biiig cliff.
After a lot of deliberation the judges verdict was: Womens 1st – Nicole Messman; 2nd – Tamika Green; 3rd – Marion Krough. Mens 1st Linus Hansson 2nd Owain John 3rd Dan Lewis.
Sunday Evening and most of the team had to head back to reality. But 20 or so stayed on and what a great time we had. Somehow we went back to back and had a huge night at the Basin, with wok sliding making a comeback, and the pantry being fully utilized. Ski patrol even came down to help us drink our beers.
The Monday turned into Tuesday turned into Wednesday and we all enjoyed a quiet mountain with great snow and great company. Full days of skiing took it out of us but great food, massage trains and pesky aussies with duty free spirits kept us vitalized. On Thursday it dumped all day and all night, tracks were getting filled in faster than we could make them. By Friday, our funnels to the snow gods had paid off and the 10 of us remaining enjoyed the best powder Canterbury had seen in 6 weeks. The end came around far too soon and it was time to head back to Christchurch, not without another pub crawl though. Top tip, the Wobbly Kea does not sell jugs, but the Bealey does.
For more info check out hte Old Ski Club Website.
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2024: Hugo Leithbridge ( Huge)
2023: George Turner (Horn Dog)
2022: Sam Bonthron (Mav)
2021: Daniel Dorton Brand
2020: Morgan Blackmore
2019: Malcolm McRae (Soap)
2018: Melissa McNaughtan (Mel)
2017: Jeremy Ritchie (Jezza)
2016: Ed Williams
2015: Douglas Hilson (Canadian Doug)
2014: Peter Marriott (Chucky)
2013: Theo Woodsworth
2012: Nick Baker (Poker)
2011: Olivia Winn (Liv the Win)
2010: Andrew Pattillo (Pat)
2009: Andrew Pattillo (Pat)
2008: Brad Rooney
2007: Dave Pearson
2006: Dave Pearson
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2025: Hugo Marshall
2025: Tom Abbott
2025: George Turner
2023: Harry Woodyear Smith
2023: Max Turner
2019: Kimberlee Brinkman
2019: Rebecca Till
2018: Douglas Hilson
2018: Mac Stephenson
2014: Jessica Prebble
2015: Elliot Smith
2000: Bruce Stevens
1991: Geoff Turner
1987: Rob Oorschot
1984: Kevin Searle
1983: John Hammond
1978: Noel Curtis
1973: Roger Estill
1966: Allan Rattray
1965: Ross Campbell
1964: Dr. Ward Robinson
1961: Sally Page
1955: Roger Laceless
1953: Dr. Peter S Robertson
1953: Peter J Adams
1950: H E Caplin
1944: E C A (Ted) Ferrier
LEGAL
Here is all of the legal fine print associated with the snow sports club.
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As a university club, we are affiliated with the following organisations.
University of Canterbury Students Association (UCSA) found here
Temple Basin Ski Club (TBSC)
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The Canterbury University Snow Sports Club (CUSSC) is an incorporated New Zealand society.
We have been registered since the 21st of April 1995 and are required to submit our annual financial statements by the end of March the following year. As a not-for-profit organisation, any profit made by the club is to be put towards the club’s mission statement.
Society Number: 674988
NZBN: 9429042604952
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“The club is dedicated to provide and promote the year-round use of its facilities and services at Temple Basin. In particular winter sports and alpine activities and recreational skiing and snowboarding.”
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The objectives of the club shall be:
To encourage and promote alpine recreation and sports
To encourage a friendly spirit between visitors to the mountain.
To build, alter, maintain or demolish any buildings and equipment necessary for meeting the objectives of the club.
To act in co-operation with or to participate further in the works or purposes of having any association, body, or club, National, Provincial or otherwise having objectives similar to those of the club.
To protect native flora and fauna and to preserve the natural environment and beauty of the country.
To co-operate with the Department of Conservation and all other official bodies in the pursuance of our objectives.
To provide services for our members (such that our mission statement is adhered to).
To do such things with and in attaining these objectives.
No clause relating to the objectives shall be limited or restricted by any other.
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The CUSSC
Level 2,
Haere-roa,
90 Ilam Road, Ilam,
Christchurch, 8011,
New Zealand
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CUSSC takes no responsibility for injuries or damage to property that occurs at our events on or off the mountain. Look after yourself and your mates. “COOL KIDS WEAR LIDS”
Refunds for membership and/or events will only be issued for exceptional circumstances, and will be dealt with on a case by case basis
When up the mountain, the lodge must be treated with respect, don’t break things, and don’t steal stuff either. It has survived over 50 years, we want it to stay around for many more to come.
If there are any issues on or off the mountain that you’re not happy with, come and chat to the committee and we’ll do our best to sort things out. Especially if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable, we won’t share confidential information (outside of members of the committee who need to be involved to help solve the issue). Unless yourself or someone else is in danger.
If you are disrespectful, making other members feel uncomfortable/unsafe, damaging cussc/tbsc property, or any other actions deemed to be of a serious enough level under the current committees discretion, we reserve the right to remove you as a member of cussc.
The number of work party tickets given out is at the discretion of the committee.
CUSSC reserves the right to change the terms and conditions without notice
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We are proud sponsors of the following organisations, go show them some love ❤️️
The Kea Foundation Trust
Protect Our Winters (POW)
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The Facebook group, available at https://www.facebook.com/groups/cussc.transport, is maintained by the Canterbury University Snow Sports Club (CUSSC).
It is an open forum (all members can post) but please be considerate with your content.
Opinions voiced here do not represent the club’s position and official club trips are only run when a paid ticket is purchased (usually through our website).
DO NOT POST ANYTHING ADVERTISING COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES.
If in doubt, message the admin (info@cussc.nz) or risk being blocked.
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The Club Bank account is held with BNZ with approval required for any payment by any two club signatories.
The Club signatories are as follows:
President
Vice-President
Sexretary
Treasurer
Payments can be made via internet banking to the clubs BNZ bank account.
Account Number: 02-0874-0077033-001 (or ends in 01 if you can’t put 001)
Please use your name as the particular and the reference as the item purchased (e.g. membership, hoodie, TB pass)
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Our constitution was last updated in 2015 and can be downloaded here.
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“Evening everyone,
I will now be presenting the fire speech
[person] has designated me to be the fire warden this evening.
While we all have a few drinks tonight, please be aware of the fire danger.
As we are in a remote area, the fire brigade will take a while to reach us. By which time the fire could have burnt us to a crisp.
The following is what to do in the event of the fire, upon discovery of a fire and the emergency fire evacuation plan.
Upon arrival please check that the fire exits are open and clear of obstructions. All fire extinguishers are in working order and so is the fire alarm.
As we are enjoying ourselves, we will not practice a fire drill tonight.
Please leave a torch, warm layer and shoes by your bed or within easy reach.
If you discover a fire, ensure that the fire alarm is activated
Don’t forget to yell fire, fire, fire.
Your exec are here to help guide you and [person] will check all bunk rooms are empty.
Please only fight the fire with a fire extinguisher if you are confident in your ability to fight the fire.
[person on exec] will go to top lodge and call 111 using the satellite phone to alert the fire department by asking the operator for the fire department.
Please move in an orderly fashion away from the fire to the evacuation area which is in front of Lockwood shelter.
Please await instruction from me the fire warden or your lovely exec.
And again, don’t forget to yell, fire, fire fire.”
WANT TO GET INVOLVED? JOIN US BELOW
SOCIALS
Can’t get enough of the us? Wanna a taste of what’s in store for the club this year, or keen to check out our past events? Have a geez at the socials below.. We even have a LinkedIn!
SPONSERSHIP
CUSSC is a proud sponsor of Protect Our Winters. & the Kea Conservation Trust. Check them out!
THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS:
