The Skiers' Guide to Mt. Hutt Ski Area

Mt Hutt is a fantastic ski field to enjoy if you don’t mind smaller fields and you’re comfortable taking unconventional lines down the slopes to extend your descent. While still the biggest and most advanced field in the Canterbury area it will feel a little smaller to those with European, American or Japanese slope experience. With that being said if you can get past that the slope is a welcoming skifield with great conditions and more than enough to keep you entertained for a few days. The field caters to the casual market primarily and is made up of mostly red, blue and black slopes, with only a couple of double blacks open under the right conditions. When you get good snow the powder conditions can last all day and the sun stays in the main bowl for about 75% of the open hours. The views are incredible, and on a clear day you can see all across the Canterbury plains down to the ocean. Not much in the way of Apres usually, although events are hosted occasionally. Accommodation can be found at the foot of the hill, around 45 minutes from the lift, so a bit of a drive, but there are buses available too. Overall it’s probably not worth dedicating a trip from overseas to get here, but if you’re in the area it’s the best slope available outside of Queenstown and Wanaka 4 hours south.

30 mins drive from Methven, an hour and a half from Christchurch - unsealed access road, so ideally 4x4, with chains carried on off chance required. You can get a bus/thumb up from the bottom car park, chains also available to rent below.

Three chair lifts - 6 man to top; new 8 man, and a 4 man. Great variety of runs for NZ ski field. Virgin mile has breathtaking views over Canterbury plains. Great off piste when day permits, but not often mind. Ski touring off the back which opens up the skiable area massively!

Occasional hot tub at summit, so bring swim shorts.
Bungee jumping no longer available from car park.

Worth watching Mt hutt rescue season 1.
The annual Peak to pub race which combines a ski, bike down access road worth an entry if you're around for same!

The road up to Mt Hutt is fairly extreme and when you get up there are no trees and the off piste is often ice. However, it has so much charm. As a small mountain you can easily explore the whole place in a day and start to feel right at home. There is something to be said for a comfy mountain. Also, their ski school is so welcoming.

Skiing in New Zealand is completely different to Europe. The ski fields as they are called have to be driven up to from the resort there is no ski back to accommodate at Mt Hutt. When there is heavy snow the resort is closed as the gravel access road in closed. When open good skiing although there were plenty of T bar lifts when I was there a few years ago. The runs are not long but have a good variety. No Apres-ski in the area and would have to go back to near by town such as Rakia.

Mt Hutt is a fun resort although its quite small and can get very crowded, especially on weeekends. Not a whole lot of piste compared to overseas resorts and off piste is limited. This aside its got a great park and you can still have plenty of fun here, especially if you come during the week. It is a great resort for families and there plenty of beginner terrain. If theres been a big dump of snow a bit of fun off piste terrain can open up.