Antarctica has a unique and fragile environment, and the Antarctic Treaty System, which includes more than 50 countries, has designated Antarctica as a scientific preserve.
This means that activities in Antarctica must be carried out in a manner that does not harm the environment or its wildlife. Ski resorts and other commercial activities are not permitted in this continent to preserve the environment for scientific research and to protect the fragile ecosystem. In New Zealand’s Scott Base there is a small and permitted exception to this rule.
Located on Ross Island in Antarctica’s McMurdo Sound, Scott Base was constructed in 1957 and later rebuilt as a permanent scientific research facility from 1976-1977. It is a state-of-the-art facility designed to support various scientific research projects. The base comprises eight interconnected buildings, has a maximum capacity of 80 occupants, and provides all the amenities one would find at home, including 30 bedrooms that can accommodate between 1 and 6 people, modern bathroom and laundry facilities, a large kitchen, dining area, lounge, bar, library, gym, and a shop.
In addition to its modern amenities, Scott Base is also equipped with several recreational activities, including hiking and cross-country skiing trails, a ski hill with a rope tow, and a snow-covered rugby pitch. There are also various annual events and tournaments, such as bowling, dodgeball, marathons, and rugby matches between Scott Base and McMurdo Station.
In the following video, we can see @mattykjordan (Matthew Jordan), a TikToker and the Redevelopment Manager of Scott Base, enjoying a skiing session at the base. It is interesting to note that he is able to enjoy his passion while also working in such a unique and remote location.
@mattykjordan Did you know that you can go skiing or snowboarding in Antarctica? Scott Base has a small ski field that is open for use, usually in December. We have a number of containers that house our ski gear and we set it up to be a small ski “lodge” as a recreational opportunity for staff. We usually go skiing on our day off (Sunday). The ski field has a rope tow as a lift which is different to many large commercial ski fields. Using the rope tow requires a harness and a metal device that clamps over the rope to help you get to the top. It’s always a fun day out 🙂 #skiing #snowboarding #antarctica #scottbase #ski #snow #skifield #wintersports #downhillskiing #skilift ♬ Love You So - The King Khan & BBQ Show
Scott Base is an advanced scientific facility with specialized instruments and facilities for environmental monitoring, weather observation, ionosphere and aurora observations, tide measurements, and the study of terrestrial and marine biology. The Hillary Field Centre, opened in 2005, further strengthened Scott Base’s ability to support fieldwork, providing a training room, field party preparation area, equipment maintenance and storage areas, a drying room, cargo receipt, refrigerated storage, offices, and a fitness center. The base also has an advanced communications center that transmits and receives vital information to and from other Antarctic bases, field camps, air control, and New Zealand.
Scott Base supports 20 to 30 scientific projects every year, with the summer months being the busiest period when the base operates at near-full capacity. During the winter, only about 10 people stay at Scott Base from February to August, as fieldwork is impossible. The smooth functioning of Scott Base is crucial for the success of New Zealand-based scientific projects in Antarctica, and the staff at Scott Base are invaluable in providing the necessary support to scientists to ensure that all field research is carried out safely and efficiently.
So we could say that Antarctica has a ski resort? While Scott Base promotes healthy habits and winter sports among its personnel, it is not a ski resort in any sense. The base’s recreational facilities, such as the rope tow and cross country ski trails, are designed to provide opportunities for staff during the winter months, rather than to attract tourists. These facilities are a great way to promote physical activity and outdoor recreation among Scott Base personnel, and help to maintain morale during the long winter season.
Sources:
https://adam.antarcticanz.govt.nz
https://www.tiktok.com/@mattykjordan/video/7173739257071242497
