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Day 1: Explore Methven, Mt Hutt Family Beginner
South Island · Ski Package

Mt Hutt Family Beginner Holiday

  • 5 days, 4 nights
  • Starts and ends in Christchurch
  • Motels

Overview

We’re a family‐friendly ski field with a range of childcare options, kids ski and snowboard lessons, rentals and facilities that cater to every family’s ski holiday needs. 5 days through the South Island, starting and finishing in Christchurch. Along the way: Explore Methven, Clothing Rental with NZ Ski, Mt Hutt Ski Field. 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.

  • 4 nights accommodation

Trip highlights

Included in your price

  • Explore Methven
  • Clothing Rental with NZ Ski
  • Mt Hutt Ski Field
  • 3 Day Intro to Snow Program for beginners with NZ Ski
  • Another Day Mt Hutt Ski Field
  • Last Day Mt Hutt Ski Field

What is included

4 nights of accommodation, staying in motels
4 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

Methven, situated on the Inland Scenic Route 72, is both a summer and winter adventure wonderland. In winter the small rural village is bustling with people intent on spending as much time on the slopes of Mt Hutt ski field. When the snow melts, other activities take prominence, including walking, hot pools, hot air-ballooning or jet boating. Methven provides a good range of eating establishments and is a friendly town to spend some time in during your travels.

Christchurch to Methven Shuttle Private Trasfer

You will be collected from either Christchurch Airport or your Christchurch accommodation and driven by shuttle to your Methven accommodation.

Welcome to Christchurch City

New Zealand’s garden city is steadily being transformed into a vibrant urban destination. Encompassing a large green belt, it is known for its wide tree lined avenues and lush gardens. A great way to explore the city or easy way to see the sights or ride the historic trams across town to the renowned botanic gardens and the unique cardboard Transitional Cathedral, that’s right it is built of cardboard!

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.

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.

Mt Hutt Ski Field

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.

3 Day Intro to Snow Program for beginners with NZ Ski

This 3-day package is designed for first-timers who have never tried skiing or snowboarding before. The three days do not have to be used consecutively, but you must return ski or snowboard hire when you are not skiing. You must also stick with your chosen discipline (skiing or snowboarding) for the duration of the program. The Intro to Snow package includes: Three days of lift passes (day 1 learners area lift pass & days 2 & 3 are full mountain lift access) Three days of full-day group lessons Three days of recreational ski or snowboard equipment hire

Mt Hutt Ski Bus Return Transfer with Methven Travel

Take the Mt Hutt Ski Bus from Methven to Mt Hutt Ski field. These coaches are equipped with features to ensure you enjoy a safe and warm journey to the mountain.

Included this dayAbisko Lodge Methven

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.

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.

Mt Hutt Ski Bus Return Transfer with Methven Travel

Take the Mt Hutt Ski Bus from Methven to Mt Hutt Ski field. These coaches are equipped with features to ensure you enjoy a safe and warm journey to the mountain.

Included this dayAbisko Lodge Methven

It’s now or never.... ensure you tick off all the runs you want to get in today and why not soak in the views and your body at the same time in New Zealand’s highest altitude spa pool at the top of the summit six chair.

Clothing Rental with NZ Ski

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.

Mt Hutt Ski Bus Return Transfer with Methven Travel

Take the Mt Hutt Ski Bus from Methven to Mt Hutt Ski field. These coaches are equipped with features to ensure you enjoy a safe and warm journey to the mountain.

Included this dayAbisko Lodge Methven

Christchurchview on Google Maps

Christchurch known in Māori as Ōtautahi, is the largest metro area in the South Island. Commonly referred to as New Zealand’s "Garden City", Christchurch is home to one of the biggest public parks in the country, and beautiful botanic gardens. The city was hit with devastating earthquakes in 2010 and 2011, now the city crosses the line between its English heritage and a new modern archetecture. To take in some arts and culture, pay a visit to the Canterbury Museum or the Christchurch Art Gallery. Take a step back in time with a tram around the city or punt along the Avon River. If tasting your way around the city is your means of travel, try out a cultural eating tour. A short drive from the CBD will lead you to the outskirts of the Banks Peninsula beachside suburb of Sumner or through the tunnel to Lyttleton Harbour which hosts fantastic markets on Saturday mornings.

Methven to Christchurch Shuttle Private Transfer

You will be collected from your Methven accommodation and driven by shuttle to Christchurch Airport or your Christchurch accommodation.

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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