08/09/2026
A nut cracker tow (pictured above) is a ski lift that is not for the faint hearted. Brandishing a long metal leaver (resembling a nut cracker, hence the name), you must grip the fast moving rope then flick it over said rope (powered typically by an old tractor engine, thank you kiwi farmers ingenuity), get your hands well clear before the first pully, keep a firm grip on your nutcracker to ensure it doesn’t pop off. And whoosh off you go!!!
There is a reason the NZ club-fields are unique, uncrowded and loved by real ski enthusiasts, as you really have to love skiing to risk losing your fingers! Club-fields are community run ski areas, where typically you stay up the mountain in their lodges, chip in to help with the washing up. Those who sell you your ski passes most probably will be running the lifts, cooking you kai and rescuing you if you hurt yourself.
It’s an all in situation “the clubby way!” Nothing fancy, just extremely good times.
Client: Passenger
Stills, motion direction, concept and approach: Camilla Rutherford
Location: Broken River Ski Area Broken River Clubfield, Canterbury
Producer: Michele Richards- Berry IDC. IDC
Camera & motion assistant: Zyanya Jackson Zyanya Jackson
Stylist: Stacey Thomas Stacy Thomas
Talent: Hannah Wilson & Blake Marshall