New Zealand's Mt Dobson Ski Area Goes On Market
After 45 years of ownership, the current owner of Mt Dobson Ski Field is retiring, creating a rare chance to acquire a well-established and profitable alpine business. Located just 45 minutes from Fairlie in New Zealand's Southern Alps, Mt Dobson is known for its sunny, expansive basin, uncrowded slopes, and family-friendly atmosphere. With a loyal customer base, consistent profits, and strong growth potential, this is an exceptional investment opportunity.
Peter Foote is the major shareholder but, after 40 years as manager/developer, he’s handed the general management reins over to his youngest son, Bruce. While his other son Allan supports as a company director.
Mt Dobson ski field officially opened in 1979. But Peter’s passion for skiing and owning a field started a long time before that. Despite bureaucratic struggles and financial setbacks, it was patience, persistence and good hard ‘yakka’ that kept Peter Foote moving forward.
As a Boy Scout, Peter fell in love with skiing when he went on a trip to the Ball Hut. Peter and some Boy Scouts climbed Fox’s Peak only to find some men working up there. The next week, Peter and his friends went back to help. The next thing he knew, he was on the Fox’s Peak committee where he installed the tows and later built the road. Peter had got the ski bug, so he set off on the hunt for his own ski field.
After a lot of research and a lot of time scouring entire mountain ranges, Peter settled on the Mt Dobson basin because it was the most sheltered and snow-sure terrain in the area. So he lodged his application to make Mt Dobson a ski field.
After three years of hard ‘yakka’ and bureaucratic battles and delays, Peter finished building the 15km-long road to the ski area, which now has the highest car park in New Zealand (1725m).
Today, it takes about 20 minutes to drive your vehicle up to the car park. But cutting the road took about 10,000 hours on bulldozers!
Mt Dobson ski area is located near Tekapo, in the southern Te Kahui Kaupeka Conservation Park, and features four lifts being a triple chair lift, a T-bar, a Platter lift and a beginner's ski tow, serving 14 trails over an area of 350 hectares (860 acres). The resort caters primarily to skiers of intermediate ability, with a 1:2:1 ratio of beginner/intermediate/advanced slopes.
The resort is situated in a 3 km (1.9 mi) wide treeless bowl, facing south west between Fairlie and Tekapo. Other features include a natural half pipe, and groomed main trails. There is no accommodation at the resort, and visitors are directed to nearby Fairlie.
Construction of the 15 km (9.3 mi) access road to the ski basin started in 1976 and the Mt Dobson Ski Area opened in 1979. It operated under a special licence from the New Zealand Department of Conservation until 1987 and then under concessions. The ski field was put up for sale on the 22nd of October 2014, but ownership continued with Mount Dobson Ski Area Ltd who had access to 1,050.5 ha (2,596 acres) via lease and recreation permits. A concession license reduced this to 350 ha (860 acres) in 2021
Key Highlights:
• Diverse Terrain: Mt Dobson offers trails for all skill levels—from beginners to advanced—across a wide skiable area that remains relaxed and uncrowded even on peak days.
• Robust Infrastructure: The field includes a triple chairlift, T-bar, platter lift, beginner's tow, and learner/intermediate areas. Modern grooming equipment ensures excellent conditions. The base facilities are well-equipped, and the car park is the highest in NZ.
• Secure Operations: Includes key assets like access rights, water rights, utility connections, and a long-term license from the Department of Conservation—an exclusive concession on prime alpine land.
• Strategic Location: Positioned 212 km from Christchurch on the main tourist route to Queenstown, Mt Dobson is easily accessible, ensuring strong domestic and international visitor numbers.
• Loyal Customer Base: Known for its relaxed vibe and consistent snow, the field has developed a strong following of returning guests, especially families and skiers seeking a more personal alpine experience.
• Bonus Freehold Assets: The sale includes essential support infrastructure, such as a freehold workshop and base site in Fairlie, ideal for year-round operations.
Mt Dobson Ski Field presents a unique opportunity for investors, tourism professionals, or ski operators to acquire a thriving business in one of New Zealand's premier alpine regions—with room to grow and a solid foundation for future success.
