KEY POINTS:
Skiers and snow boarders are paying more to hit the slopes in New Zealand than at top international fields with world-class facilities.
A one-day adult pass at Treble Cone, near Wanaka, will set you back $99 this winter, while Queenstown's Coronet Peak is charging $93.
In contrast a day at swanky Swiss resort Klosters - the alpine playground of Britain's royal family - costs just ¬43 ($88).
The most expensive South Island fields are also dearer than Val D'Isere in France and Arlberg in Austria.
Mt Ruapehu, which opens this weekend, and Cardrona are a touch cheaper but still pricier than Alta in America, Whistler in Canada, the skiing venue for the 2010 Winter Olympics, and Niesko, in Japan.
New Zealand industry representatives agreed prices were steep but said lift operators faced ballooning costs as the economy tightened.
New Zealand Alpine Club spokesman Ollie Clifton said the prices also reflected economies of scale. "Whereas in Europe it can cost around $50 for terrain and facilities that would be mind-boggling in New Zealand, here we don't have many people skiing."
The Australian Alpine Club's annual survey found Aussies were worst off, with five fields in New South Wales and Victoria listed as the world's most expensive. Perisher Blue came out on top, charging a whopping A$98 ($123) for an adult day pass. Club president Ian Farrow said he was often asked why any Aussie family would head to the mountain when the cost was so high. His reply: "Because they can't drive to New Zealand."
Farrow said the quality of facilities was not a factor in the survey and Australian fields had far more lifts than fields on this side of the Tasman.
Treble Cone spokeswoman Anna Thomas said prices were high but had been frozen from last year. They were designed to ensure only about 1500 people were on the mountain each day, offering a "premium" experience.
Skifield operators had always faced huge running costs and higher power and fuel bills were having an effect.
Lift passes were a "minimal" part of the bill when a pair of skis could set you back $1500. "Snow sports are more expensive than your traditional sports, like netball and rugby. They attract a more discerning customer. We are focused on giving good service and along with that comes higher prices," she said.
Canterbury Snowsports Association executive officer Jane Clifford said that a drop in disposable income was pricing skiing at commercial fields out of the range of families.
Turnover at the association's annual ski sale was down 20 per cent this year and the cost of petrol put people off a trip to the mountain.
With an average price of $60 for non-members, club fields could help families cut the bill. Day passes at Canterbury club fields cost as little as $25 for those willing to take part in working bees. Another money-saving measure for Cantabrians is snowpool.org.nz, a car-pooling website helping skiers share transport costs.
