Mount Dobson
{{Short description|Ski field in the South Island of New Zealand}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=April 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name = Dobson Peak
| other_name =
| photo = Mount Dobson 27.jpg
| caption =
| photo_size =
| photo_upright =
| photo_alt = Mount Dobson Ski Field (July 2022)
| photo_caption = Dobson Peak from base of Mt Dobson Ski Field
| mapframe =no
| highest =
| highest_location =
| elevation_m = 2095
| elevation_ft =
| elevation_ref =
| elevation_system =
| prominence =
| prominence_m =
| prominence_ft =
| prominence_ref =
| parent_peak =
| isolation =
| isolation_km =
| isolation_mi =
| isolation_parent =
| isolation_ref =
| listing =
| coordinates = {{coord|-43.936|170.670|region:NZ-OTA_type:mountain|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| length =
| length_km =
| length_mi =
| length_orientation =
| length_ref =
| width =
| width_km =
| width_mi =
| width_orientation =
| width_ref =
| area =
| area_km2 =
| area_mi2 =
| area_ref =
| volume =
| volume_km3 =
| volume_mi3 =
| volume_ref =
| etymology =
| nickname = Mount Dobson, Mt Dobson
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| translation =
| pronunciation =
| authority = New Zealand Geographic Board
| location =
| country = New Zealand
| country_type =
| state =
| state_type =
| region = South Canterbury
| region_type =
| district =
| district_type =
| part =
| part_type =
| settlement = Fairlie
| settlement_type =
| range_coordinates = {{coord|43.459|S|170.602|E|region:NZ-OTA_type:mountain|format=dms|display=inline}}
| range_coordinates_ref = {{cite web |title=NZGB Gazetteer – Two Thumb Range|url=https://gazetteer.linz.govt.nz/place/45117|website=gazetteer.linz.govt.nz |access-date=2 October 2024}}
| range = Two Thumb Range
| borders_on =
| grid_ref_UK =
| grid_ref_UK_ref =
| grid_ref_Ireland =
| grid_ref_Ireland_ref =
| topo_maker =
| topo_map =
| biome =
| formed_by =
| orogeny =
| age =
| type =
| geology =
| volcanic_region =
| last_eruption =
| first_ascent =
| easiest_route =
| normal_route =
| access = State Highway 8
| embedded =
}}{{Infobox ski area
| name = Mt Dobson Ski Field Area
| logo =
| picture =
| caption =
| location =
| nearest_city = Christchurch
| coordinates = {{coord|43|56|40|S|170|39|50|E|region:NZ|display=inline}}
| vertical =
| base_elevation = {{convert|1725|m|abbr=on}}
| skiable_area = {{convert|350|ha|abbr=on}}
| number_trails = 14
| liftsystem = 4 Lifts
| terrainparks =
| snowmaking = Yes
| nightskiing = No
| external_link = https://www.mtdobson.co.nz
| module ={{OSM Location map
| width =280
| height=400
| float = center
| coord = {{coord|-43.885|170.66}}
| zoom = 10
| shapeD = triangle
| shape-colorD =gray
| label-posD=right
| mark-sizeD = 8
| mark-coord1 = {{coord|-43.466|170.582}}
| label1 = Mount D'Archiac
| label-pos1=left
| mark-title1 = Mount D'Archiac (Kahuikaupeke (Māori)
| mark-description1 = {{cvt|2875|m}}
|-
| Exeter || {{convert|2327|m|ft}} || {{cite web |title=NZGB Gazetteer – Exeter|url=https://gazetteer.linz.govt.nz/place/1427|website=gazetteer.linz.govt.nz |access-date=30 September 2024}}
| mark-coord2 = {{coord|-43.475|170.589}}
| label2 = Mount Coates
| ldy = -2
| mark-title2 = Mount Coates
| mark-description2 = {{cvt|2400|m}}
| mark-coord3 = {{coord|-43.483|170.602}}
| label3 = Mount Earle
| label-pos3 =left
| ldx3 =-3
| ldy3 =1
| mark-title3 = Mount Earle
| mark-description3 = {{cvt|2410|m}}
| mark-coord4 = {{coord|-43.491|170.629}}
| label4 = East Sentinel
| ldx4 =3
| ldy4 =2
| mark-title4 = East Sentinel
| mark-description4 = {{cvt|2133|m}}
| mark-coord5 = {{coord|-43.542|170.673}}
| label5 = Graf Spee
| ldy5 =-2
| label-pos5 =left
| mark-title5 = Graf Spee
| mark-description5 = {{cvt|2267|m}}
| mark-coord6 = {{coord|-43.554|170.700}}
| label6 = Exeter
| ldx6 =-7
| ldy6 =2
| label-pos6 =left
| mark-title6 = Exeter
| mark-description6 = {{cvt|2327|m}}
| mark-coord7 = {{coord|-43.555|170.727}}
| label7 = Alma
| label-pos7=top
| mark-title7 = Alma
| mark-description7 = {{cvt|2510|m}}
| mark-coord8 = {{coord|-43.56903|170.72427}}
| label8 = Achilles Peak
| ldy8 = -1
| mark-title8 = Achilles Peak (High Peak, Low Peak is to the north-east at {{cvt|2450|m}})
| mark-description8 = {{cvt|2540|m}}
| mark-coord9 = {{coord|-43.574|170.719}}
| label9 = Myrmidon
| label-pos9=left
| ldx9 = -5
| mark-title9 = Myrmidon
| mark-description9 = {{cvt|2474|m}}
| mark-coord10 ={{coord|-43.579|170.718}}
| label10 =
| mark-title10 = Priam
| mark-description10= {{cvt|2435|m}}
| mark-coord11 ={{coord|-43.580|170.653}}
| label11 =Ajax Peak
| label-pos11 =left
| ldy11 =6
| mark-title11 = Ajax Peak
| mark-description11 = {{cvt|2319|m}}
| mark-coord12 ={{coord|-43.583|170.712}}
| label12 =Tantalus
| ldx12 = 3
| ldy12 = 1
| mark-title12 = Tantalus
| mark-description12 = {{cvt|2454|m}}
| mark-coord13 ={{coord|-43.593|170.727}}
| label13 = The Thumbs
| ldy13 = 6
| mark-title13 = The Thumbs
| mark-description13 ={{cvt|2546|m}}
| mark-coord14 ={{coord|-43.613|170.741}}
| label14 = Mount Caton
| ldy14 =5
| mark-title14 = Mount Caton
| mark-description14= {{cvt|2309|m}}
| mark-coord15 ={{coord|-43.643|170.713}}
| label15 = Captains Peak
| ldy15 =2
| mark-title15 = Captains Peak
| mark-description15 = {{cvt|2371|m}}
| mark-coord16 ={{coord|-43.673|170.711}}
| label16 = Mount Toby
| mark-title16 = Mount Toby
| mark-description16 = {{cvt|2222|m}}
| mark-coord17 ={{coord|-43.716|170.684}}
| label17 = Beuzenberg Peak
| label-pos17 =left
| mark-title17 = Beuzenberg Peak
| mark-description17 = {{cvt|2070|m}}
| mark-coord18 ={{coord|-43.726|170.694}}
| label18 = Mount Hope
| ldx18 =4
| ldy18 =3
| mark-title18 = Mount Hope
| mark-description18= {{cvt|2086|m}}
| mark-coord19 ={{coord|-43.730|170.692}}
| label19 =
| mark-title19 = Braun-Elwert Peak
| mark-description19= {{cvt|2086|m}}
| mark-coord20 ={{coord|-43.750|170.635}}
| label20 = Mount Gerald
| label-pos20 =left
| mark-title20 = Mount Gerald
| mark-description20= {{cvt|1551|m}}
| mark-coord21 ={{coord|-43.767|170.773}}
| label21 = Neutral Hill
| mark-title21 = Neutral Hill
| mark-description21= {{cvt|1763|m}}
| mark-coord22 ={{coord|-43.802|170.719}}
| label22 = Mount Musgrave
| mark-title22 = Mount Musgrave
| mark-description22= {{cvt|2251|m}}
| mark-coord23 ={{coord|-43.818|170.661}}
| label23 = Round Hill
| label-pos23 =left
| mark-title23 = Round Hill
| mark-description23= {{cvt|1588|m}}
| mark-coord24 ={{coord|-43.848|170.718}}
| label24 = Mount Misery
| mark-title24 = Mount Misery
| mark-description24= {{cvt|2305|m}}
| mark-coord25 ={{coord|-43.894|170.711}}
| label25 = Sugar Loaf
| mark-title25 =Sugar Loaf
| mark-description25= {{cvt|1677|m}}
| mark-coord26 ={{coord|-43.912|170.625}}
| label26 = Mount Ardmore
| label-pos26 =left
| mark-title26 = Mount Ardmore
| mark-description26 = {{cvt|1989|m}}
| mark-coord27 ={{coord|-43.936|170.670}}
| label27 = Dobson Peak
| mark-title27 = Dobson Peak
| shape-color27 =red
| mark-description27 = {{cvt|2095|m}}
| mark-coord28 ={{coord|-43.981|170.632}}
| label28 = Mount Maude
| mark-title28 = Mount Maude
| mark-description28= {{cvt|1787|m}}
| mark-coord29 ={{coord|-44.008|170.598}}
| label29 = Mount Edward
| mark-title29 = Mount Edward
| mark-description29= {{cvt|1916|m}}
| mark-coord30 ={{coord|-44.049|170.633}}
| label30 = Mount Burgess
| mark-title30 = Mount Burgess
| mark-description30 = {{cvt|1430|m}}
| arc-coordA = {{coord|-43.74|170.68}}
| arc-textA =Two Thumb Range
|arc-text-colorA = gray
| arc-angleA = 75
| arc-gapA = 1.9
| arc-radiusA = 0.83
| arc-coordC = {{coord|-43.827|170.662}}
| arc-textC =Richmond Range
| arc-text-sizeC = 10
|arc-text-colorC = gray
| arc-angleC = 115
| arc-gapC = 0.4
| arc-radiusC = 4
|caption =Location of Dobson Peak (red triangle) showing nearby peaks in the Two Thumb Range
}}
}}
Mount Dobson is the common name for Dobson Peak as a result of being used for the name of a ski resort near Fairlie in South Canterbury, South Island of New Zealand. There is an official Mount Dobson being {{cvt|702|m}} high at the northern end of the South Island in Marlborough District between Blenheim and Picton,{{cite web |title=NZGB Gazetteer – Mount Dobson|url=https://gazetteer.linz.govt.nz/place/30952|website=gazetteer.linz.govt.nz |access-date=2 October 2024}} and an unofficial Mount Dobson in the Southern Alps at {{cvt|2265|m}} only a short distance due west.{{cite web |title=NZGB Gazetteer – Mount Dobson (Southern Alps)|url=https://gazetteer.linz.govt.nz/place/30951|website=gazetteer.linz.govt.nz |access-date=2 October 2024}} Accordingly confusion could arise.
Dobson Peak
The peak after which the ski field is named, is officially called Dobson Peak, and rises to {{convert|2095|m|abbr=off}} just north of the ski field.{{cite web |title=NZGB Gazetteer – Dobson Peak|url=https://gazetteer.linz.govt.nz/place/1211|website=gazetteer.linz.govt.nz |access-date=2 October 2024}} It is to the southern end of the Two Thumb Range. The semi-schist of the Torlesse Composite Terrane is basement in the area,{{cite journal|first1 =Phædra|last1 =Upton|first2 =Dave|last2 =Craw|first3 =Zoe|last3 =James|first4 =Peter O.|last4 =Koons|year =2004 |title =Structure and late Cenozoic tectonics of the southern Two Thumb range, mid Canterbury,New Zealand|journal= New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics|volume =47|issue=1|pages =141–153|doi =10.1080/00288306.2004.9515043}}{{rp|pp=143}} and to the peak's east are the lower traces of the Fox Peak faults which may have been last active just before European settlement.{{rp|pp=145}} The higher reaches about the {{cvt|2000|m}} mark or outside the ski field are essentially a boulderfield.{{rp|p=8}}
Recreation
= Ski Resort =
Mt Dobson ski area is located near Tekapo, in the southern Te Kahui Kaupeka Conservation Park, and features four lifts being a triple chair lift, a T-bar, a Platter lift and a beginner's ski tow, serving 14 trails over an area of {{convert|350|ha|acre}}.{{cite report|title =Application for a concession by Mount Dobson Ski Area Ltd|chapter =Concession Application Form 3b – Private/commercial facility/structures|url =https://www.doc.govt.nz/get-involved/have-your-say/all-consultations/2021-consultations/2021-notified-applications/mount-dobson-ski-area-ltd/|access-date =2 October 2024|pages=1–66|chapter-url =https://www.doc.govt.nz/contentassets/cd12c8f0ba4e4807a337cc2c12dc4f8d/mt-dobson-ski-area-application-forms.pdf|publisher=Department of Conservation|location =Wellington, New Zealand|year=2021}}{{rp|pp=4–10}} The resort caters primarily to skiers of intermediate ability, with a 1:2:1 ratio of beginner/intermediate/advanced slopes.
The resort is situated in a {{cvt|3|km}} wide treeless bowl, facing south west between Fairlie and Tekapo. Other features include a natural half pipe, and groomed main trails. There is no accommodation at the resort, and visitors are directed to nearby Fairlie.{{rp|p=24}}
==History==
Construction of the {{cvt|15|km}} access road to the ski basin started in 1976 and the Mt Dobson Ski Area opened in 1979.{{rp|p=4}} It operated under a special licence from the New Zealand Department of Conservation until 1987 and then under concessions.{{rp|p=4}} The ski field was put up for sale on the 22nd of October 2014,[http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/10649263/Mt-Dobson-skifield-for-sale "Mt Dobson-skifield for sale"], stuff.co.nz, 22 October 2014 but ownership continued with Mount Dobson Ski Area Ltd who had access to {{cvt|1050.5|ha}} via lease and recreation permits.{{rp|p=5}} A concession license reduced this to {{cvt|350|ha}} in 2021.{{rp|p=7–10}}
Dobson 37.jpg|Dobson Peak, from the top of the chairlift (2023)
Dobson 38.jpg|Mt Dobson skifield (2023)
= Hunting =
To the south of the ski field, and distinct from it, but accessed via its access road, is a {{cvt|2436|ha}} area of tussock, shrub and mountain totara forest at low elevations and snow tussock and alpine herb fields higher of the Te Kahui Kaupeka Conservation Park available for hunting. Red and fallow deer, chamois, tahr and wallabies may be hunted with a permit.{{cite web|url =https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/things-to-do/hunting/where-to-hunt/canterbury/mid-and-south-canterbury-hunting/where-to-hunt/mount-dobson/|title =Mount Dobson hunting|publisher=Department of Conservation|location =Wellington, New Zealand|access-date =2 October 2024}}
Ecology
The mountain top boulderfield is virtually unvegetated except for occasional alpine
cushions of speargrass species, being the native source of hebes such as Veronica pinguifolia, vegetable sheep, South Island edelweiss, and scree willowherb (Epilobium porphyrium, E. pycnostachum) amongst other alpine plants.{{rp|p=8}}
Tussock species, the mountain strap-leaved daisy, sedge and hebes are found on the higher ski runs.{{rp|p=8}}
Tall tussockland is largely confined to between {{cvt|1800|and|1680|m}} on the western side of the peak but is more extensve on the north-east facing slopes between {{cvt|1600|and|1480|m}}.{{rp|p=9}}
Low alpine herbfields with a wide variety of native New Zealand species are found on the lower slopes where there is water seepage and adjacent to the draining streams.{{rp|p=9}}
Below the ski field there are areas of montane exotic grassland and native shrubland and woodland.{{rp|pp=12–13}} This includes habitats occupied by the introduced mammals mentioned in the hunting section and other pests such as opossum and hares.{{rp|p=15}}
Kea were found until about 1990. It is likely that the insect and lizard communities are representative of those studies have found elsewhere in the Two Thumb Range.{{rp|p=14}}
Exotic weeds keep being introduced along the access road and such like thistle, gorse or lodgepole pine need to be managed by active eradication.{{rp|pp=15–16,21}}
References
{{Reflist}}