Ski-pass fraudster faces life time ban

James CoddingtonA 26-year-old Auckland man who was arrested at the Remarkables Ski Area this week for using a friend's season pass to access the skifield faces a lifetime ban from all NZSki mountains.

Acting Sergeant Logan Dickie said police were called to the field about 3pm on Tuesday in the latest of what had been a "steady" stream of skifield fraud incidents this season, averaging about one per week.

NZSki chief executive officer James Coddington said 30 people had received a lifetime ban so far this season - 17 were caught at Coronet Peak, seven at the Remarkables and six on skifield transport.

"It's disappointing people feel they can defraud the system and ... believe they have a right to ski for free when everyone else is paying."

When caught, people were embarrassed and remorseful.

"When they realise the consequences, they realise the seriousness of it."

Police were always called "straight away" and offenders were usually dealt with through the police diversion scheme.