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Day 1: Christchurch to Methven, Mt Hutt Break Escape
South Island · Ski Package

Mt Hutt Break Escape

  • 3 days, 2 nights
  • Starts and ends in Christchurch
  • Motels

Overview

Take a ski holiday to Mt Hutt this winter for some awesome skiing or snowboarding, staying in the closet town of Methven a short drive for you to be able to explore the 365 hectares, with a mixture of terrain to suit beginners, intermediate and advanced skiers. 3 days through the South Island, starting and finishing in Christchurch. Along the way: Christchurch to Methven, Mt Hutt Ski Field, 2 Day Lift Superpass with NZSki. Every night is booked and the travelling is handled, so the itinerary below is what you actually do rather than a list of things you could arrange yourself.

  • 2 nights accommodation
  • 4 optional add-ons

Trip highlights

Included in your price

  • Christchurch to Methven
  • Mt Hutt Ski Field
  • 2 Day Lift Superpass with NZSki
  • Methven to Christchurch
  • Another Day Mt Hutt Ski Field

Extras (optional)

Not in your price. Add any of these and we re-quote, or leave them and decide once you are here.

  • Clothing Rental with NZ Ski
  • NZSki: Equipment Rental

What is included

2 nights of accommodation, staying in motels
2 nights of accommodation, booked and confirmed before you travel
A detailed day by day itinerary with every booking reference
Support from a New Zealand based specialist while you travel

This itinerary can be customised: extra nights, different rooms, more activities or a different vehicle. Tell us what you would change.

Day by day itinerary

Christchurchview on Google Maps

Heading out of Christchurch, you will drive through the town of Rakaia which sits on the southern side of the Rakaia River, and is 'the salmon capital of New Zealand'. The Rakaia bridge spans 1.8 kilometres of one of the world’s best examples of a 'braided' river system. Next, it’s onto Ashburton, which sits between the Rakaia and Rangitata rivers. It is a large town that serves the local rural community. It has about six museums and some excellent craft galleries. Trout fishing is the local obsession, and the ski fields of Mt Hutt are an easy drive away. Point your car towards the Southern Alps and you’ll be in Methven in about half an hour. The checkerboard fields of the Canterbury Plains provide soothing scenery all the way. The village of Methven is a mecca for those who love outdoor sports.

Collect Rental Car

This tour’s from price includes an intermediate-sized vehicle, setting you up for comfortable travels. Yet, we understand every adventure is unique! Feel free to select the perfect wheels from our incredible collection of rental cars, spanning from economy hatchbacks to premium SUVs.

ChristchurchTourism New Zealand
Included this dayAbisko Lodge Methven

Abisko Lodge offers a comfortable accommodation close to the foothills of Mount Hutt. It is located a short stroll from the Methven village centre with all its charm and specialist boutique shops, restaurants, cafes and pubs makes Abisko Lodge the smart choice in “hassle free” accommodation for your stay in Methven.

Christchurchview on Google Maps

Mt Hutt has been voted New Zealand’s best ski resort for seven years running at the World Ski Awards. A true alpine experience, with wide-open terrain, leg-burning runs, monster snowfalls, and spectacular views. You’ve not skied in New Zealand until you’ve skied Hutt! Mt Hutt is your go-to for epic freestyle skiing and snowboarding with four terrain park zones featuring jumps and features for all abilities and with the Summit chairlift is an easy way to access great backcountry riding and skiing. Mt Hutt offers 365 hectares of skiable terrain for you to explore, with the longest run, a lengthy 2km. With its mixture of 25% beginners, 50% intermediate, and 25% advanced terrain there is a range of trails for everyone to conquer. Food and beverages are available at Sixteen10 Espresso Bar, Ski High Cafe, and Opuke Kai which offers mulled wine and an a la carte experience on the mountain, where you can recharge your batteries for your next run. For visitors to the South Island, it’s easy to hire all the gear you need on the mountain, so all you need to bring is your enthusiasm. For the littlies, there is a licensed child’s creche for 3 months to 5yrs and a snow sports school for both kids and adults who are finding their snow legs.

2 Day Lift Superpass with NZSki

The New Zealand Superpass is the most flexible lift pass in New Zealand, giving you access to Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Mt Hutt along with Snowplanet, Turoa, Whakapapa, Porters, Roundhill, Mt Dobson, and Ohau ski areas. Get more choice, more fun, and more snow time with your New Zealand Superpass, and make the most of your New Zealand holiday! With 2 days of New Zealand Superpasses, you’ve got lift access to New Zealand’s premier ski areas plus the fun and excitement of a range of off-mountain attractions around New Zealand. You can mix it up a little and ski a day at the different alpine resorts or maybe you’ve got your eye on a run that you want to conquer over 2 days. Want to ski a little longer, don’t own your own gear or snow clothing, or not sure if your skills are up to scratch? No worries, chat to us about adding additional days, rentals, or lessons.

Clothing Rental with NZ SkiOptional

Everything you need for the Mt Hutt ski field is available directly on the mountain, no need to carry it all up. You’ll find the latest gear, from clothing to equipment, and the on-site technicians keep it in top condition. Please note: you can not hire out gloves, goggles, or sunglasses for hygiene reasons. Please bring your own or these items can be purchased from the retail outlets on each ski area, or in town.

NZSki: Equipment RentalOptional

Everything you need for Mt. Hutt Skifield is available directly on the mountain, no need to carry it all up. You’ll find the latest gear, from clothing to equipment, and the on-site technicians keep it in top condition. Use the revolutionary Head BYS ski fitting system designed to reduce the amount of time taken to fit boots and skis allowing you maximum time on the slopes. The snowboard gear is the industry leading Burton 'Learn to Ride'. If you want to swap, exchange, upgrade or if you find something is not quite right, they’ll take care of it on the spot. Please note: you can not hire out gloves, goggles or sunglasses for hygiene reasons. Please bring your own or these items can be purchased from the retail outlets on each ski area, or in town.

Included this dayAbisko Lodge Methven

Christchurchview on Google Maps

Follow the inland scenic route across the Rakaia Gorge taking time to stop and enjoy the spectacular views of the river. The tiny villages of Windwhistle, Glenroy and Glentunnel guide you towards Darfield, a larger agricultural service centre and then onto the city of Christchurch.

Another Day Mt Hutt Ski Field

Now you know your way around Mt Hutt base its time to start exploring more of the ski field.

Clothing Rental with NZ SkiOptional

Everything you need for the Mt Hutt ski field is available directly on the mountain, no need to carry it all up. You’ll find the latest gear, from clothing to equipment, and the on-site technicians keep it in top condition. Please note: you can not hire out gloves, goggles, or sunglasses for hygiene reasons. Please bring your own or these items can be purchased from the retail outlets on each ski area, or in town.

NZSki: Equipment RentalOptional

Everything you need for Mt. Hutt Skifield is available directly on the mountain, no need to carry it all up. You’ll find the latest gear, from clothing to equipment, and the on-site technicians keep it in top condition. Use the revolutionary Head BYS ski fitting system designed to reduce the amount of time taken to fit boots and skis allowing you maximum time on the slopes. The snowboard gear is the industry leading Burton 'Learn to Ride'. If you want to swap, exchange, upgrade or if you find something is not quite right, they’ll take care of it on the spot. Please note: you can not hire out gloves, goggles or sunglasses for hygiene reasons. Please bring your own or these items can be purchased from the retail outlets on each ski area, or in town.

Good to know

Departures

This itinerary departs on the dates that suit you, subject to availability. Peak season (December to February) books out early, so enquire well ahead for summer travel.

Make it yours

Add nights, upgrade rooms, swap activities or extend into the other island. Tell us what you would change and we will re-quote, no obligation.

Never travelling alone

Your whole itinerary lives in a smart travel app with live vouchers, maps and daily guidance, and your own travel specialist is reachable seven days a week while you are on the road. If plans change, we rearrange them in real time.

Watch: Christchurch on this itinerary

Asked before booking

Still deciding? Worth a read: The New Zealand ski season, explained properly · The best time to visit New Zealand, from people who live here

  1. Tell us about your trip

  2. Get your firm quote

  3. Shape it until it fits

  4. Confirm with a 20% deposit

  5. Everything is booked for you

  6. Travel with us beside you

The Silver Fern Promise

You never hand over more than a small deposit

Nothing to enquire, nothing until your quote is confirmed in writing, and never more than your deposit until the balance falls due 70 days before travel. Deposits can be paid by card, which keeps your card scheme’s protections in play.

How your money is protected

A firm quote within one business day

Availability checked with our New Zealand operations team and confirmed in writing, not an automated estimate.

No booking fees, and nothing to pay to enquire

Quotes are free and carry no obligation. You pay a deposit only once the itinerary is right and you say go.

One person, before and during your trip

The same specialist plans your trip and is reachable while you are travelling, alongside in-country support seven days a week.

100% Pure New Zealand InsiderQualmark Gold, the official quality mark of New Zealand tourismInsider status, Tourism New Zealand 100% Pure New Zealand Specialist Programme. IATA certified. Every itinerary is operated by a Qualmark Gold certified New Zealand tour operator.

Questions before you enquire? Email hello@silverferntravel.com and ask. No form required.

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