Skiing in Mount Hutt
Mount Hutt Ski Area
Sitting in a large bowl, with tougher runs on the perimeter and more intermediate slopes in the middle, Mount Hutt offers more than 365 skiable hectares (900 acres) in the main ski area and 107 hectares of back country skiing in the Rakaia Saddle chutes.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.
Mount Hutt Beginner Skiing
Beginners in Mount Hutt can enjoy skiing wide open trails, while first time skiers have a dedicated area of their own.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.
Mount Hutt Intermediate Skiing
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 Advanced & Expert Skiing
Advanced and expert skiers and riders can try Mount Hutt’s main bowl or head for the steeper challenges of the Double Black Diamond runs of South Face or the Rakaia Chutes.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: [email protected]
Web: www.heliskiing.co.nz
Mount Hutt Boarding & Freestyle
Snowboarders and freeskiers can choose between the Dirty Dog halfpipe, the 10,000 square metres Up and Go Terrain Park, or a beginners’ park.
Mount Hutt Mountain Restaurants
Mount Hutt offers a choice of three eateries for on-mountain dining including the fast-food Sky High Cafe with spectacular views and the characterful Huber’s Hutt Bar with open fire.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