Porters
Alpine Resort
Porters Alpine Resort
– Big Views, Chill Vibes
Just over an hour from Christchurch, Porters Alpine Resort is your closest and most laid-back gateway to the snow. Whether you're a first-timer finding your feet or a seasoned shredder chasing clean lines, Porters has something for everyone.
With wide-open beginner slopes, progressive terrain parks, and steeper runs for the thrill-seekers, it’s the perfect playground for families, mates, and mixed-ability groups. There’s even a cosy café at the base with hot chips, good coffee, and local brews – because nothing beats a post-run snack with mountain views.
It’s friendly, it’s easy-going, and it’s all about fun – Porters is the kind of place you come back to year after year.
Return Trip – Ride with Snow Express!
Choose from two booking options:
Group of 10+ (Shared Transport)
Got a crew of 10 or more? This option is perfect for you. Book for your group (minimum 10, up to 22 people), and we’ll open up the remaining seats for others to join the ride. Great if you don’t mind meeting a few new legends along the way – and it helps keep the price sweet at just $29 per person.
Private Charter (Your Bus, Your Rules)
Want the whole bus to yourselves? Book a private charter and enjoy exclusive use of the Snow Express for the day. Perfect for school groups, team trips, or just keeping it in the whānau. You’ll get full flexibility on departure times and pick-up points – and no outsiders tagging along. Pricing varies depending on group size, but the freedom is all yours.
Snow Express Highlights:
22-seater bus with a custom ski/snowboard carrier
Door-to-door group pickups available
Easy to change the date if the weather gets bad
Safe, reliable, and friendly transport
Southern hospitality, with a dash of cheeky charm
Book your spot today – the mountain’s calling!
Show the Snow Express Team some love and shout us a coffee!
Join the Snow Express On-Call Whānau!
Flying solo or got a crew of less than 10? Sweet as! Just fill out this form and we’ll add you to our list of keen snow bunnies.
When a booking with spare seats comes through, we’ll flick you a text to see if you’re keen to join the ride.
Because your group is smaller, we might not be able to pick you up at your door — but no stress! We’ll send you a nearby pickup location and time to meet us along the way.
Easy, affordable, and full of alpine adventure!
Questions and answers
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Absolutely! Kids are more than welcome on board.
For children under 5 years old, an approved car seat is required.
We’ve got anchor points on some of our seats – just let us know in advance if you’ll be bringing a little one, and we’ll make sure you're all set up safely.
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Definitely! We recommend booking as early as possible to avoid missing out. It’s much easier to shift your date if the mountain closes than to miss the ride entirely.
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Snow Express reserves the right to cancel or modify trips due to weather conditions, road closures, or any situation that may impact the safety of our passengers. If a trip is cancelled by us, a full refund or alternative date will be offered. Or you can choose a date that suits you and your group.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations made more than 5 days prior to departure are eligible for a 50% refund.
Cancellations within 5 days of departure are non-refundable.
Weather-Related Cancellations
If Porters Alpine Resort is closed or the road to the ski field is inaccessible, Snow Express will cancel the trip, and you will receive a full refund or the option to reschedule.
We make every effort to communicate any cancellations as early as possible based on official updates from the mountain and road authorities.
This policy helps us manage bookings fairly while ensuring safety comes first. Thanks for your understanding – see you on the snow!
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Your kids will be safe and sound with us – but for peace of mind, we do have a minimum age limit.
Children must be at least 13 years old to travel alone on the Snow Express.
Under 13? They’ll need to be accompanied by an adult.
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Sorry, we don’t accept walk-ons.
If you have a group of 10 or more, you’ll need to book online to secure your seats.
If your group is smaller than 10, fill out the form above and join the growing stand-by list. -
Nope – we don’t run to a fixed timetable like a regular bus service.
Snow Express is a charter service, which means we operate based on demand. While we’re happy to take individual bookings, we do require a minimum of 10 passengers to make a trip viable.
So round up your crew, or get in touch to see if a group is already going that you can join!
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We will notify you straight away on the mobile number you have given us if the mountain is closed.
You can easily choose another date, there is no extra charge for this. Easy peasy!
“We look forward to meeting you!” The Snow Express Whanau