A number of ski lifts operate in both the North and South Islands of New Zealand.
Summary
Current
Former
North Island
Whakapapa (Mount Ruapehu)
Turoa (Mt Ruapehu)
Manganui (Mount Taranaki) The original (lower rope tow) was installed in 1946, the first ski tow in New Zealand (predating Coronet Peak's tow by a few days). This was replaced by the current T Bar in 1974.
The top rope tow has a formidable reputation, rising some 300 metres. This was installed in 1952 and upgraded extensively in the 1980s (with a replacement electric drive instead of the old diesel engine). An extension to this tow (running off the top bullwheel) can be installed providing further vertical late in the season.
The lower T bar can also carry a few chairs if necessary, something that the Stratford Mountain Club have indicated that they may install, making for an interesting dual lift.
There is a small (single loop, no intermediate supports) rope tow between the T bar and the bottom station of the top tow, installed in the 1980s and electrically operated.
There is a small learners rope tow to the left of the T bar, this was installed in 1964 and upgraded in the 1970s.
A tow was installed in the Ngarara valley to the right of the field in 1983, and this operated til 1986.
Other North Island ski lifts
The Rangiwahia Ski Club installed a rope tow in the 1930s operating off a motorbike engine on the Whanahuia Range in the Ruahines in the Central North Island. The ski club built a hut as well, but this has been replaced by several facilities on the same site since then. Some relics are still there. The site is accessible only on foot.
All road ends in Egmont National Park had a rope tow or two at various times, but these have all been removed (apart from Manganui).
South Island
Amuri / Hanmer Springs (Hanmer Springs) This pomagalski was built entirely by volunteers and is the only detachable pomagalski left in New Zealand as such is needing preservation.
Mount Lyford (Kaikoura) The fixed grip covers 180m and the rope tow was extended in 2011.
There were also two? rope tows installed at Stella Basin, further down the access road from Mt Lyford. A lack of snow has caused these to be removed.
Craigieburn Valley (Arthurs Pass) 3 rope tows currently. Access, middle, and top.
Formerly had a learners tow near the base of the middle tow, which resulted in three tows running from one tow shed / engine. The learners tow was removed in the 1990s. The top tow has now been realigned, as the previous alignment resulted in very challenging loading (requiring use of the "Craigieburn Drop" technique with nutcrackers).
In 1952 a T bar was installed (NZs first) running from the bottom of Craigieburn to Siberia Basin, except this never received much usage. A poma was installed on Hamilton Peak in 1994, but this did not receive much use either. The concrete base of this is still sitting in Siberia Basin.
There is a cone of death on the dogleg on the bottom rope tow where it changes alignment. It looks like a spinning top with a disc on the top to stop the rope flying off it. The disc acts as angle grinder if you don't get your shoulder far enough out of the way. This was installed to bend the towline away from an avalanche path. Great fun.
All tows are diesel operated, using tractors.
Broken River (Arthurs Pass) The access tow, from above the accommodation buildings to the field itself. Above the tow shed, which is at the height of Palmer Lodge (the fields day lodge), this tow is known as the Rugby tow, from the former Rugby car engine that used to power it (which is now hanging off the counterweight at the end of the main tow). The main tow The ridge tow Two learners / access tows near Palmer lodge.
All tows are electrically driven.
Mount Cheeseman
2 T bars
before it had T bars it had rope tows. The top T-bar was a platter in the 1990s. The bottom rope tow, since removed, used to extend a long way down the access road. 4WD vehicles would have to wait for skiers before crossing under the rope. The bottom T bar is electric, with the top T bar diesel. The top T bar is perhaps the slowest lift in New Zealand. Faster to walk.
Mount Hutt (Methven) Began in late 1970s with two rope tows