Craigieburn

The Craigieburn Valley on New Zealand's South Island is a legendary destination for those seeking raw, unrefined skiing. There are no wide groomed slopes, but the focus is entirely on powder, steep couloirs and freeriding. The facility is located between 1,300 and 1,3018.4 feet altitude and has three simple but functional lifts that provide access to one of the country's most challenging terrain areas.

This is not a resort for beginners – there are no children's areas and groomed slopes. The average skier with some off-piste experience can find longer lines on open snow fields, but above all, it is advanced skiers who are attracted here. Steep chutes, technical passages and often deep snow conditions make Craigieburn a haven for freeriders. Opportunities for summit tours and traverses to nearby valleys enhance the experience.

The accommodation is in simple lodge style with full board, which creates a family and communal atmosphere. Lift queues hardly exist, and instead the experience is about sharing powder skiing and evenings in front of the fire with like-minded people. The season usually runs from June to October. Craigieburn Valley is a destination for those who want to experience freeriding in its most stripped-down form – far from the comforts of mass tourism.