Skiing for Farmers expands to Ōhau

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An initiative that gets farmers off the farm and hitting South Island slopes is snowballing in popularity, with a second location added this year. 

Skiing for Farmers is an Otago Rural Support Trust initiative, which began in 2023 at Coronet Peak and has now expanded to include Ōhau Snow Fields. 

This year, Skiing for Farmers was held on 3 August at Ōhau Snow Fields and on 10 August at Coronet peak with around 30 farmers attending each event and enjoying a day of discounted skiing, lessons and a special BBQ lunch.  

Central Otago dairy farmer Mike Williams attended both events with his two teenage children. 

“Both days were brilliant. The weather was awesome, we really enjoyed it, and we all came home really chirpy,” says Mike, who has attended Skiing for Farmers every year since it launched. 

Mike says Skiing for Farmers has been a catalyst to have more time off the farm. 

“I enjoyed spending time with the kids and it was a good chance to meet different people and see some new faces,” he says. 

“Rural Support Trust is doing some cool stuff to get people off the farm and having a break and I’ll definitely be going again next year.” 

While Skiing for Farmers happens during a busy time of year on the farm, Mike says it’s do-able to get up the mountain. 

“It’s more achievable than you realise – you just have to make it happen.” 

Change of scene allows recharge 

Farmstrong ambassador Sam Whitelock says one thing he learnt during his sporting career is that no one can go “hammer-down” the whole time. 

“Sometimes it’s important to step away for a breather to ‘reset’ physically and mentally. A simple change of scene gives you that chance to recharge especially during busy periods. It could be as easy as getting off farm to pick up a few groceries or coach kids’ sport or trying something new like skiing.” 

He says a lot of fatigue happens from being mentally busy because your head is full of worries and “what-ifs” from work. 

“Having off-farm activities like these puts that thinking on hold and gives the mind some respite. By taking a little time away like this, you are actually increasing your ability to handle pressure and challenges at work. That’s why it’s fantastic to see farmers getting behind initiatives like this.” 

Chance to clear the head and re-set 

Otago Rural Support Trust chair Tom Pinckney says the trust was motivated to set up Skiing for Farmers after seeing the popularity of Surfing for Farmers. 

“It’s so important for farmers to have a break and get off the farm. Just getting away and getting up the mountain is so therapeutic in of itself,” says Tom, who owns Northburn Station in Central Otago. 

He attended the Ōhau Snow Fields event and says the weather couldn’t have been better. 

“It was a cloudless day, clear skies and no fog and it was great to get to see such a stunning view and talk to different people,” he says. 

“Everybody really enjoyed it. It was a great chance to clear the head and re-set. 

“We had farmers of all ages and skiing abilities, and everybody enjoyed talking with other like-minded people, grizzling about the same things and also celebrating the wins.” 

And his advice for others who might want to set up a similar initiative? 

“Give us a ring and we can help, talk to local ski fields. It’s pretty easy to set up as ski fields have systems in place for discounted group bookings.”