Canterbury mountain landscape and ski field development : a landscape management study

Abstract

The Canterbury Mountainland is an important regional resource. Its value is not due to is productive capabilities but its aesthetic and ecological qualities contained within.

The mountain environment offers a diverse range of recreational opportunities from gregarious pursuits, such as climbing and skiing, to the more contemplative activities as in scenic viewing. Great diversity also exists in the levels of compatibility between these various uses and with the resource itself.

Skifields, the most intensive of mountainland uses, have experienced a dramatic increase in patronage. Such an increase in level of use is considered to be likely impetus for further expansion and development of ski area facilities.

Past development has had marked impact upon aesthetic and ecological quality of the mountain landscape. In view of the greater importance of the Canterbury mountainland to the region, any development must be in respect of these inherent qualities if the value of this resource is to be retained.