This is it: the ultimate guided New Zealand snow tour that will take you to the best South Island ski resorts and club fields! We have the South Island’s ski and snowboard highlights and hidden gems all packaged up for you. Our expert snow guides will show you the slopes and the tow ropes on this twelve-day snow tour.

This extensive tour samples New Zealand’s most popular ski fields before heading off the beaten track to lesser known club ski fields in New Zealand, loved by locals and pros alike. We’ll enjoy eleven mountains: The Remarkables, Coronet Peak, Porters, Cardrona, Ohau, Treble Cone, Roundhill, Broken River, Mt Olympus/Temple Basin and Craigieburn; and we’ll visit New Zealand’s favourite winter destinations: Queenstown, Wanaka, Christchurch and Lake Tekapo.

With only a handful of departures through the season (end of July through to September), places are limited. Reserve your spot to shred the New Zealand club ski field slopes with just a $99 deposit! It’s best suited to 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 snow guides are on hand to help, and most people adjust to using these tools after just a couple of runs.

The Snow Odyssey is a combination of our Snow Safari and Snow Explorer tours and is best suited for intermediate to advanced skiers/snowboarders as you’ll be using nutcrackers and rope tows to climb a handful of the slopes. Never heard of a nutcracker? Don’t let this put you off! Most people adjust to using these tools after just a couple of runs and our guides are on hand to help.

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

• 11 lift passes to 10 different mountains
• All on-tour transport and mountain transport
• Advice to improve your skiing or snowboarding technique
• Hot pools in Tekapo
• Rope tow gloves and nutcrackers

Day One*Queenstown | The Remarkables*

Welcome to Queenstown! Your tour starts bright and early at 6am where we waste no time heading off to The Remarkables with a whole day on the slopes ahead of us. En route, we’ll stop to pick up any equipment you may have hired.

Today offers wide open trails, native Keas (parrots!), spectacular views, sun drenched landscapes and unforgettable runs. There’s terrain here like you have never seen before.

The highest ski field in Queenstown at 1935 metres, The Remarks has something for everyone as the terrain offers challenges for skiers of all abilities, including one of the most memorable runs in New Zealand: the long, fast sweep named Homeward Bound.

**INCLUDED**

Breakfast, Lift Pass

**SLOPE INFO**

The Remarkables

Levels: 30% Beginner, 40% Intermediate, 30% Advanced

Height: 1943m

Vertical: 357m

Skiable Area: 220ha

Day Two: Queenstown | Coronet Peak

Everyone can ski like a pro at Coronet Peak – there are dedicated slopes for first timers and long, wide groomed trails with plenty of choice for more experienced skiers. Once you know the ropes, you’ll enjoy the vertical off the express quad, or exploring the rolling terrain with plenty of dips and drops for great variety.

Coronet Peak is the oldest ski area in the South Island. Spread across a broad mountain, the field is wide and sunny with an impressive variety of runs, and the facilities are some of the best around.

Everything is designed to ensure you make the most of skiing and boarding. For boarders, Coronet Peak is a natural terrain park, full of endless hits and powder stashes.

**INCLUDED**

Breakfast, Lift Pass, Dinner

**SLOPE INFO**

Coronet Peak

Levels: 30% Beginner, 40% Intermediate, 30% Advanced

Height: 1649m

Vertical: 462m

Skiable Area: 280ha

Day Three: Queenstown

Today is a chance to rest your legs and get to know the Adventure Capital of the World – Queenstown. From bungy jumping to skydiving, jet boating to visiting the world-famous Milford Sound, you really can complete your bucket list in a day.

Of course, you are most welcome to continue skiing or boarding but this is a scheduled rest day, so your lift pass isn’t included.

For anyone wanting to try heli-skiing there are several well-recommended heli-ski options: 4 runs or 8 runs (see our website for pricing). These will take you to untouched powder in the area.

**INCLUDED**

Breakfast

Day Four: Wanaka | Cardrona

With over 20 national and international skiing and snowboarding events held at Cardrona each year, it’s considered amongst pros as one of the top mountains in New Zealand.

Renowned among skiers and boarders for inspiring terrain and dry natural snow, Cardrona is 345 hectares of wide and packed with undulating trails, open slopes, steep chutes and awesome terrain parks. There’s something here for all to enjoy.

Most of the mountain is serviced by chair lifts, so access is easy. Cardrona’s three basins offer wide-open spaces and a mixture of terrains that are suitable for snowboarders and skiers of all abilities.

Facilities include five cafes, a shop, equipment hire and a workshop.

**INCLUDED**

Breakfast, Lift Pass

**SLOPE INFO**

Cardrona

Levels: 25% Beginner, 50% Intermediate, 25% Advanced

Height: 1860m

Vertical: 600m

Skiable Area: 345ha

Day Five:*Wanaka | Treble Cone*

Hidden in the heart of the Southern Alps, Treble Cone has amazing views across the beautiful lakeside town of Wanaka. It’s also the largest ski area in the South Island with plenty of exhilarating skiing and snowboarding terrain.

Treble Cone boasts New Zealand’s fastest quad chairlift, so you can enjoy more runs per day than anywhere else. The saddle quad chairlift offers the highest lift-accessed terrain, longest groomed intermediate runs, and highest vertical drop in the South Island.

From the purpose-built learner area and long groomed intermediate trails, to numerous natural half pipes on the upper mountain, there’s plenty for everyone here.

Treble Cone’s proximity to the Southern Alps means reliable snow conditions and weather, and, just as importantly, it is protected from the bitterly cold southerly winds. Renowned for plenty of dry powder, Treble Cone receives an average annual snowfall of 5.5 metres and has an average maximum snow depth of 3.25 metres.

In the evening, Wanaka is an après-ski haven, with a vast number of places to dine, drink and dance the night away.

**INCLUDED**

Breakfast, Lift Pass

**SLOPE INFO**

Treble Cone

Levels: 10% Beginner, 45% Intermediate, 45% Advanced

Height: 1960m

Vertical: 700m

Skiable Area: 550ha

Day Six: Tekapo | Ohau

Today head to Ohau, a remote ski field located between Christchurch and Queenstown.

With snow ratings of 20% beginner, 50% intermediate and 30% advanced, Ohau caters for all abilities. From the highest point of 1,925 metres, there is a 400-metre vertical fall to the base via ‘The Boulevard’ (an epic ride for beginners on a safe trail as wide as a highway). Intermediates can choose the zig-zag ‘Luge’, and experts can push the limits on the ‘High Traverse’ and the ‘Escalator’.

Ohau offers unrivalled dry powder snow and gets you off the tourist trail to experience the awesome range of ski fields available in the South Island of New Zealand.

**INCLUDED**

Breakfast, Lift Pass

**SLOPE INFO**

Ohau

Difficulty: 20% Beginner, 50% Intermediate, 30% Advanced

Height:1825m

Vertical:400m

Skiable Area:125ha

Day Seven:*Christchurch | Roundhill/Mt Dobson*

Today we’ll head to either Roundhill or Mt Dobson, depending on weather conditions.

Roundhill is one of Mackenzie Country’s best kept secrets.With the highest vertical drop in Australasia (at 783 meters), breath-taking views of Aoraki Mt Cook, and boasting one of NZ’s widest runs, the ski field offers an awesome day on the slopes with terrain to suit all capabilities.

Mt Dobson is best known for natural dry powder snow, trails for all abilities, all day sun and wide open uncrowded runs.

We ski/snowboard until around 3pm before setting off to New Zealand’s largest South Island city, Christchurch.

**INCLUDED**

Breakfast, Lift Pass

Day Eight: Christchurch –*Springfield | Porters Alpine Lodge*

Rise and shine! We depart Christchurch at 6am and head straight to Porters Alpine Lodge, best known for its friendly and relaxed atmosphere. You can expect to find fewer people on these slopes and lots of untouched trails.

Porter’s lifts run up two distinct valleys: Bluff Face (which towers above the right of the base area) and Big Mama (which towers above the left).

At 620m, Big Mama boasts one of the largest vertical drops in one lift-accessed runs 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 an outdoor spa pool and majestic views to enjoy after a busy day on the slopes.

**INCLUDED**

Breakfast, Lift Pass

**SLOPE INFO**

Porters Alpine Lodge

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

Height:1950m

Vertical: 610m

Skiable Area: 350ha

Day Nine:*Springfield | Broken River*

Ready yourself for an epic adventure at Broken River.

Born in the early 1950s when the founding members were just 20 and 28 years old, this ski field is a testament to people who are truly passionate about creating amazing snow experiences.

The terrain consists of a large open basin serviced by five electrically driven rope tows. Yes, it’s time to learn how to use those nutcrackers!

Don’t worry if you are new to rope tows – our Tour Manager will help you with your technique. Most people take a few tries to get it right; it’s all part of the fun! 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.

**INCLUDED**

Breakfast, Lift Pass, Harness & Nutcracker

**SLOPE INFO**

Broken River

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

Height: 1920m

Vertical: 420m

Skiable Area: 300ha

Day Ten: Springfield –*Craigieburn | Mt Olympus/Temple Basin*

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

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.

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.

When you come off the slopes 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 our accommodation for the next two nights.

**INCLUDED**

Breakfast, Dinner, Lift Pass, Harness & Nutcracker

**SLOPE INFO**

Temple Basin:

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

Height: 1753m

Vertical: 427m

Skiable Area: 320ha

Mt Olympus:

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

Height: 2096m

Vertical: 450m

Skiable Area: 60ha

Day Eleven: Craigieburn

Craigieburn has a cult following among locals who love big mountain skiing.

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.

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.

Dinner tonight at the Craigieburn Lodge is also included.

**INCLUDED**

Breakfast, Dinner, Lift Pass, Harness & Nutcracker

Day Twelve: Craigieburn –*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 to extend your stay in Christchurch.

**INCLUDED**

Breakfast, Lift Pass, Harness & Nutcracker

**SLOPE INFO**

Craigieburn:

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

Height: 1811m

Vertical: 503m

Skiable Area: 400ha

FAQs

What is the tour bus like?

The first 7 days of the tour we use a 22-seater Toyota Coaster, with a trailer for all your gear. As we only fill the bus to a maximum of 16 people, there are always some extra seats to lounge about! For the last 5 days we use a customised four-wheel-drive van, with a maximum of 8 people.

Rope Tow. What’s that?

A “rope tow” is a type of ski lift in which skiers/boarders are pulled up a slope while grasping a looped, endless rope some driven by a motor and other with the use of a nutcracker. Watch this video to see a rope tow in action.

It may take a couple of attempts to get the hang of it but you should be able to get to grips with it fairly quickly. Snowboarders tend to take a bit longer but our Tour Manager will stay with you until you get it nailed!

What happens if a mountain is closed?

We make amendments to our tour route on the rare occasions that any mountains are shut or have very poor conditions going to a different mountain, if possible. If not possible, we will refund the wholesale rate for your lift pass.

How does the $99 deposit work?

Secure your seat for a $99 deposit, then pay it off over time – the balance is due 45 days prior to departure. During this time you can also add more activities or customise your tour in any other way.

I’m a beginner, is this tour suitable for me?

Not really. This tour is only appropriate for skiers and boarders with at least an intermediate level ability. If you are new to skiing, check out our 7 Day Snow Safari!

What is the standard of accommodation?

Regardless of where we go, accommodation absolutely has to meet our standards and we have hand-picked every place we use. Standard accommodation is quad share, with the option to upgrade to a private room.

Do I need any specialist gear?

No – just your normal ski wear and equipment. You can hire ski equipment through us for the 12 days. Rope tow gloves and nut-crackers are included for everyone in the tour price.

I have never used a rope tow before – will I be OK?

Yes! A small group tour like this is perfect for people that have not used nut-crackers and rope tows before because our Tour Manager can spend the time with you to give you loads of instruction and advice.

Everyone struggles at the start using rope tows so it’s just a matter of being persistent – we have all been in the same situation before and it is expected it will take you at least a few attempts until you get the feel for it. It is all part of the experience!

What is the size of a snow tour group?

Since this tour is a combination of our Snow Safari and Snow Explorer tours, the first 7 days has a maximum of 16 people and the last 5 days a maximum of 8 people.