Spent two days here in 2010. Absolutely amazing, first day was clear, no wind and 40cm of fresh snow. There were no lift lines, few people and fresh tracks to be had all over the mountain. Second day was the same story, bad weather had dumped rain on the other Canterbury fields while Dobson, being a bit higher, again had fresh snow. Lifts are slow and base area is very basic, but personally I would rather have fresh tracks, few people on the field and no lift lines over a pretty cafe, crowds and fast lifts.