Mount Hutt is probably New Zealand’s best known ski resort with breathtaking views from the top of Mount Hutt (2,086m) overlooking the patchwork Canterbury plains that stretch out to the Pacific Ocean in one direction and the jagged peaks of the Southern Alps to the other – it’s an impressive and memorable vantage point.
Mount Hutt was the first ski area in Australasia to host World Cup races and National teams from many countries visit Mount Hutt each year to practise before the start of the northern hemisphere winter.
Mount Hutt Ski Resort
Mt Hutt Skifield Access Road
Mount Hutt 7782
New Zealand
Although the last 13 kilometres of access road are legendary and daunting for some, those who persevere will find good beginner slopes, and plenty of tougher runs for more experienced skiers. Mount Hutt has one of the longest ski seasons in the Southern Hemisphere, lasting from early June to late October, and a good snow record, Mount Hutt averages around 500cm of snowfall each season and has 61 snow canons for artificial snowmaking over 42 hectares mainly on the easier, central slopes. Current improvements include a new computerised snowmaking system and a new snowmaking line for the 10,000sq metre Terrain Park.
Best slopes for first time skiers are in the area close to Mount Hutt's base station which includes perfect pitch slopes for novices. As they gain confidence beginners can progress to large parts of the central Mount Hutt ski area to ski runs like Wayleggo and Highway 72, which are fairly benign. Novices in Mount Hutt can enjoy wide open trails, while beginners have a dedicated area of their own.
From the top of Mount Hutt's Summit Six chair, Fascination, Morning Glory and other runs provide some excellent cruising for intermediate skiers and boarders, with The Towers another possible option for stronger intermediates.
Mount Hutt's ski slopes continue down below the base area which explains why the 683m vertical drop - one of the biggest in New Zealand's South Island - is bigger than might be expected. The recently installed 6-seat chairlift has given Mount Hutt an extra dimension, with challenging ski terrain peeling off in both directions from the top down through the double-black diamonds of South face and along Virgin Mile Ridge.
The Rakaia Saddle Chutes provide an additional 107 hectares of accessible backcountry terrain, bringing Mount Hutt's total skiable terrain to 472 hectares. Although the chutes are not open throughout the season, when they are, they're regarded as a big backcountry bonus - far from the busier slopes. They take skiers and boarders below the base area where a free shuttle bus will bring them back to the base station.
Methven Heliskiing offer a moderately priced introduction to helicopter skiing on the North peak run - a descent of 800 vertical metres - and a range of heli-skiing packages including half a day, a full day or several day's heli-skiing in the Black Hills or Taylors Range.
Methven Heliskiing
Arrowsmith Range,
Methven, South Island,
New Zealand
Tel: +64 3 302 8108
Email: methven@heliskiing.co.nz
Web: www.heliskiing.co.nz
Snowboarders and freeskiers can choose between the Dirty Dog halfpipe, the 10,000 square metres Up and Go Terrain Park, or a beginners' park.
The fast-food Sky High Café at Mt Hutt, with exhilarating views across the entire ski area, specialises in pizza, burgers, and traditional fish and chips. Hutt Base Bar is a small licensed coffee/bar outlet inside the cafeteria which also services the sun deck.
Huber's Hutt Bar has an open fire. The décor reflects the old days of Mt Hutt with many features around the walls recording historical themes.
Sky High Café
Tel: +64 3 307 6308
Hutt Base Bar
Tel: +64 3 307 6308
Huber's Hutt Bar
Tel: +64 3 307 6308
The nearest community is 25km away, down the mountain road at quaint little farming town of Methven, where most skiers choose to stay in one of a dozen or more hotels from 4-star down to 1-star and reasonably lively nightlife.
Methven Apres Ski Bars
Brinkley Tel: +64 3 302 8885
Brown Pub Tel: +64 3 302 8045
Blue Pub Tel: +64 3 302 8046
Forest Lodge Tel: +64 3 302 8116
Ski Time Tel: +64 3 302 8398
Steel Worx Tel: +64 3 302 9900
The Last Post Tel: +64 3 302 8502
Methven Restaurants
Arabica Café Tel: +64 3 302 8455
Brinkley Village Resort Restaurant Tel: +64 3 302 8885
Primo Café Tel: +64 3 302 9060
Ski Time Tel: +64 3 302 8398
Steel-Worx Restaurant & Bar Tel: +64 3 302 9900
The Bavarian Restaurant & Bar Tel: +64 3 302 8116
The Last Post Tel: +64 3 302 8259
Besides skiing, snowboarding, heli-skiing & heliboarding, backpackers and adventure travellers are visiting New Zealand all year round for a host of other activities including: hot air ballooning, salmon & trout fishing, jet boating, river rafting, water skiing, mountain biking and road cycling, parachuting.