About Ski Touring in Tarn Basin

Tarn Basin is accessed from the Mt Cheeseman Ski Field and is a popular destination for experienced ski tourers and snowboarders. When the field is open in winter, with two T-bar rides, you can reach this stunning alpine bowl just 1.5hrs from Christchurch. But make no mistake – this is serious backcountry terrain; it is beyond the ski area boundary. It is not patrolled by Mt Cheeseman staff, and your safety is entirely your responsibility.

Check your transceiver is transmitting before entry. It should beep when you lean near it.

GETTING THERE

How to access Tarn Basin

The route into Tarn Basin is either by skinning up the mountain from Cheeseman’s Snowline Lodge from the Tbar base (see image below showing requested uphill skinning path so as not to cut up the slopes for skiers), or when the field is operating, you take the two TBars up and enter just off the left of the top TBar. A $25 one-ride pass is required for access, which covers both the use of our access road and one ride up the T-bars. Please purchase your pass at the café or ticket office before heading out. If the Tbar is not operating, there’s a $15 fee for road access. When the field is not operating or it’s outside the season, there will be a locked gate and you will need to get permission to access the field and pay the road toll online. 

Intentions book & skinning path in Day Lodge. The skinning sheet may be tucked in under the Intentions Forms.

SAFETY

Intentions & Safety Checks

Before leaving:

• Make sure you’ve checked the Avalanche forecast before leaving home.
  👉 Check the NZ Avalanche Advisory Forecast  Adjust your plans according to the forecasted danger rating and associated travel advice, making note of the hazardous aspects and elevations seen on the forecast, as well as the expected avalanche problem types. The relevant NZ Avalanche Advisory region to Tarn Basin is ‘Craigieburn Range’
• Log your intentions in the Day Lodge café intentions book (and please sign out upon your return by putting a cross through your page, or write down if you are heading further afield). This is so if the field needs to be evacuated, safety team knows whose cars belong to tourers.
• Test your transceiver at the boundary beeper at the top of the Top T-bar. This machine does not track you. It simply checks that your beacon is transmitting at entry.
• Conditions change rapidly. Assess the snowpack and terrain in real-time and be prepared to turn back. 

PLAN AHEAD

Know your exit

The low saddle exit from Tarn traverses under a slide path under the X and goes through a second slide path. Another (longer) exit involves zig zagging back up to the top of the Top T rather than crossing the face beneath that ridge. Mt Cheeseman gives no warranty about exit paths. 

Exiting at Big Bend goes through a valley with a steep angle falling straight down into the gut. An Australian snowboarder had a very serious accident here some years back.

 

Hazard areas

Much of Tarn can avalanche depending on the snowpack and conditions. Being able to assess avalanche terrain is critical which is where guides and courses are invaluable. Many faces sit in the avalanche-prone 30-45 degree gradient. Some of the lower angle faces get wind-laden and have cornices.

Pink areas show avalanche fall areas.  Yes – everywhere!  Orange shows one person’s planned route and exit paths. These are not necessarily safe all the time.

This excellent Caltopo map shows the gradient of slopes in Tarn. Orange and red colours mark slopes with a 31-45 degree angle (see key at bottom).

There are a few areas to be aware of:

1. North Tarn: These faces are notorious for avalanches as they heat up early.
2. Coming back – bluffs: If you go past the Tarn chutes, to North Tarn or further (this is along the ridge on the left in the top photo diagram where the red areas are), it’s difficult to cross back over the top of the bluffs in the middle of the red areas. Note that after dropping down further down the valley, coming back under the bluffs is an avalanche run out zone.
3. The Dark Side Faces: There are some route to exits that cross slide paths. The Caltopo map illustrates the angles near the lower saddle exit.
4. Lines coming back up the chutes also cross fall paths. Below and to the right of these also avalanche.
5. There is a terrain trap above the tarn.
6. When Tarn is congested, be aware of other people traversing below you who could be exposed if you set off a slide.

Essential Gear Checklist

✔ Avalanche transceiver
✔ Shovel
✔ Probe
✔ First aid kit
✔ Extra food, layers & water
✔ Map / GPS / compass
✔ PLB or satellite communication device
✔ Snow safety and navigation skills

Why not expand your knowledge with a course?
Avalanche courses

Final Word

We love that Tarn Basin offers such incredible backcountry terrain – but it comes with real risk. Please tour respectfully, be prepared, and stay safe.

Your adventure, your responsibility.

Guided adventures in Tarn

Keen to increase your confidence under the helpful eye of a guide? Check out www.annakeelingguiding.co.nz.  Find out about Mini Missions and Haute Route trips. Thanks Anna for kindly supplying some pics for this page 😊 Neither Anna nor Mt Cheeseman endorses any of these routes.