Regarded as New Zealand's high country ski area, Mt Hutt has a true Kiwi atmosphere and hospitality to match.
At 2086m Mt Hutt has one of the largest vertical drops in the South Island and the greatest variety of terrain ranging from long, super-wide groomed runs to double black diamond chutes. And the views from the summit are breathtaking. On a clear day you can see all the way across the patch-worked Canterbury Plains out to the Pacific Ocean in one direction and into the heart of the Southern Alps in the other.
The Kiwi atmosphere is evident everywhere, particularly in the parking lot where Cantabrians regularly set up portable BBQs for an informal lunch. Facilities and service are world-class with modern, high speed chairlifts, a 10,000sqm terrain park and beginner/novice mini park as well as a warm, comfortable base building.
Visitors to Mt Hutt this season will benefit from the ski area's ongoing investment programme. More snow and improved trails will make for even better skiing and riding conditions thanks to three new state-of-the-art snow groomers and new snow making compressors.
New to Mt Hutt this season is the revolutionary Head BYS system for those renting equipment. The new system will improve the flow through rental services allowing for a quick and personalized set up. This means more time on the slopes for skiers and the industry leading skis making learning and improvement easier.
Offering one of the longest snow seasons in New Zealand, Mt Hutt also boasts a well developed trail network suited to all snow lovers from the total beginner through to the world's top pro racers and riders.
With its reputation for big snow, advanced skiers and riders can enjoy the main bowl or head for the steeper challenges of South Face or the Rakaia Chutes, novices can enjoy wide open trails while beginners have a dedicated area to learn and enjoy away from the main traffic areas.
Expect an exciting winter in the 'Capital of Speed', as Mt Hutt's race arena is known, in the lead up to the 2010 Winter Olympics. Many of the world's fastest skiers will be training there this winter offering fantastic spectator action and inspiration.
Mt Hutt welcomes families and children from ages 2 to 17 are supervised in a variety of programmes from the Skiwiland Early Learning Centre through to advanced ski and snowboard training programmes. Children aged six and under enjoy free day lift passes every day of the season. And the natural bowl of the main ski area makes it easy to keep track of family members from the sunny deck.
Mt Hutt is just a 35 minute drive from Methven where there's a great range of bars and restaurants to choose from. Proximity to Christchurch International Airport means Mt Hutt is easily accessible from anywhere in New Zealand or Australasia.
For more info visit - www.nzski.com
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