Escape the crowds of Queenstown and get a taste of New Zealand’s best club fields on this five-day snow tour of the South Island.

The Snow Explorer really is off-piste heaven – leave the beaten track behind and sample four epic mountains considered by locals as NZ’s best-kept-secrets: Porters, Broken River, Mt Olympus/Temple Basin and Craigieburn.

Whilst these names may not ring a bell now, we guarantee by the end of your trip they will be the only thing you’ll want to talk about.

Starting and ending in Christchurch, this tour best suits intermediate to advanced skiers and snowboarders as you’ll be using nutcrackers and rope tows to climb the slopes at most locations. But don’t let this put you off – our expert guides are on hand to help, and most people adjust to using these tools after just a couple of runs.

You can book additional nights’ accommodation in Christchurch before your tour starts, or an extra night on the last day to make things easy.

If you’d prefer room to yourself, you can upgrade to a private room (available for the first two nights of the tour only). Upgrading your first two nights of accommodation to a private room starts from $199.

Please note that due to unforeseen weather conditions changes may need to be made to the itinerary. Luckily, our tour guides are super flexible pros, so they’ll make sure you have the very best time no matter where the trip takes you.

ALL HAKA SNOW TOURS INCLUDE

• ORIENTATION TOUR OF EVERY MOUNTAIN – We give you the low-down on every
  location
• ALL TRANSPORT AND MOUNTAIN TRANSFERS – Taking you to our favourite snow
  locations
• BREAKFAST EVERY DAY – Heaps of options for everyone (you too, vegans!)
• HIGH-END HOSTEL ACCOMMODATION – Dorm share, Upgrades available
• EXPERT TOUR MANAGER – Friendly snow experts who are passion
  about NZ
• SMALL GROUPS – Because you’re more than just a number!

AWESOME INCLUSIONS

• 5 lift passes to 4 different mountains
• Continental breakfasts every day
• Two dinners
• Tow protection gloves
• Lessons and equipment hire (if you
  choose this add-on)
• Equipment hire (if you choose this
  add-on)

DAY 1 CHRISTCHURCH TO SPRINGFIELD – PORTERS

We depart Christchurch at 6am and pick up our hire gear (for those that need it) en-route to Porters, best known for its relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Porter’s lifts run up two distinct valleys: Big Mama (which towers above the right of the base area) and Bluff Face (which towers above the left). At 620m, Big Mama boasts one of the largest vertical drops in one lift-accessed run in New Zealand. Easy back country riding is available from the top of the T3T-Bar.

For the next two nights we stay at Springfield Lodge, a snow sports enthusiast’s haven, complete with unrivalled views and an outdoor spa pool to enjoy after a big day on the slopes.

SLOPE INFO

Porters

Difficulty: 15%
Beginner, 35% Intermediate, 50% Advanced

Height:1950m

Vertical: 610m

Skiable Area:
350ha

DAY 2 SPRINGFIELD – BROKEN RIVER

Get ready for a true adventure at Broken River. This ski field was born in the early 1950s when the founding members were only 20 and 28 years old. Now well-established, this ski field is a testament to their years of effort and dedication.  You’ll earn your turns at Broken River! After a 15 to 20-minute hike to the first rope tow, learn the techniques you’ll need to get started on these slopes. The terrain here consists of a large open basin serviced by five electrically driven, high capacity rope tows. This mountain has the perfect platform to learn to ride nut crackers, making it a great spot for our second day of riding.

Don’t worry if you have not ridden tows before – our Tour Manager will help you with your technique and most people take a few times to get it right; it’s all part of the experience! Tow protection gloves are provided. The highest point is 1820 metres and the total vertical is 420 metres, with lots of off-piste terrain available. A short trek offers access to the back basins, Craigieburn Valley and some incredible terrain.

SLOPE INFO

Broken River

Difficulty: 10%
Beginner, 30% Intermediate, 60% Advanced

Height: 1920m

Vertical: 420m

Skiable Area:
300ha

DAY 3 – SPRINGFIELD TO CRAIGIEBURN – MT OLYMPUS/TEMPLE BASIN

Today, depending on weather conditions, we’ll head to either Mt Olympus or Temple Basin.

Mt Olympus ski area is also known as ‘the playground of the gods’. The area is a south-facing basin set high in the Craigieburn Range – perfect for trapping powder dumps. 450m of vertical drops over 60 hectares of varied terrain provide skiing and riding from beginner to extreme.  From the top of the Main Tow and the Top Tow there are plenty of choices with terrain to suit intermediates or the most advanced skiers. A little walking from the Top Tow opens up even more terrain in this wide, open bowl. With the relatively low skier numbers and the choice of terrain, it can take up to a week to get tracks on some slopes!

Temple Basin, the club, was founded in 1929 and still has that pioneering feel and represents a true alpine environment at the heart of Arthur’s Pass National Park. We leave those who prefer groomed slopes, a chairlift and lattes at home.  Renowned for its steep and big mountain terrain, you have the choice of three tows: Cassidy (sunny smooth runs), Temple (faster and steeper) and Downhill (ridgeline and advanced terrain).

We can also check out the awesome chutes at Bills Basin and the popular back country area of Mingha Valley.

And when you come off the hill at the end of a big day, we will grab a well-earned drink and dinner (included) at the ultra-cosy Craigieburn Lodge which is also our accommodation for the next two nights.

SLOPE INFO

Mt Olympus

Difficulty: 10% Beginner,
55% Intermediate, 35% Advanced

Height: 2096m

Vertical: 450m

Skiable Area: 60ha

Temple Basin

Difficulty: 10% Beginner,
50% Intermediate, 25% Advanced

Height: 1753m

Vertical: 427m

Skiable Area: 320ha

DAY 4 – CRAIGIEBURN

For big mountain skiing, Craigieburn has a well-deserved cult following among Kiwis.

Steep and deep, with wide open powder bowls and lofty narrow chutes accessed by three high-capacity rope tows servicing a vertical rise of 503m, Craigieburn leaves little to be desired.

Terrain at Craigieburn Valley is varied, exciting and challenging, with the infamous 600m
vertical descent of Middle Basin (which is often compared to a heli-skiing experience) accessible by a short traverse from the tow. Craigieburn Valley offers something for everyone – except beginners.

Your dinner tonight at the Craigieburn Lodge is also included.

SLOPE INFO

Craigieburn

Difficulty: 20%
Beginner, 55% Intermediate, 25% Advanced

Height: 1811m

Vertical: 503m

Skiable Area:
400ha

DAY 5 – CRAIGIEBURN TO CHRISTCHURCH

One last snow day mastering the slopes of
Craigieburn before blazing a trail back to Christchurch where your tour ends at
around 8pm.

You’re more than welcome to book an additional
night of accommodation with us in Christchurch.

SLOPE INFO

Craigieburn

Difficulty: 20%
Beginner, 55% Intermediate, 25% Advanced

Height: 1811m

Vertical: 503m

Skiable Area:
400ha