New Zealand Ski Fields: Mt Hutt Review

Ideal for: Need for Speeder's, Intermediates.
Snow: Heaps of natural AND man made!

Mt Hutt has the highest publicly accessible road in New Zealand. Opening from May to November (Some years open on Christmas day!) it has the longest ski season in the southern hemisphere.

Can be exceedingly cold in the early season - unless it's very early (May) in which case it can be like spring! Whatever the forecast - make sure you take a full range of clothing to cope with either extreme.

The entire mountain is visible from just about everywhere - the exception being the South Face. One gigantic bowl with incredible views from the ridge above Virgin Mile, and awesome views of the Canterbury plains from just about everwhere!

There is some considerable opportunity to obtain very high speeds off piste - and rocks abound - so watch out. Expect to have damage from off-piste skiing even with 2 or 3 metres of snow!

The South Face accumulates the best powder, in the lee of the Nor-Westers - coincidentally, this is also the steepest of runs, so thrash it to death on a powder day - but ensure you use some powder straps - otherwise you'll never find that lost ski!

The North-West wind (with capitals) can ruin a potentially great day. Wind strength can increase until only the well equipped masochist would even consider riding the T-Bars!

Saying that though, a good day is outstanding. Views all over the place are literally a snapshot of New Zealand. The height of the mountain usually ensures lots of snow quantity - and until the spring time hits full force, the dry winter snow stays that way for most of the season.

Mount Hutt make a lot of snow with their compressed air system and then spend a great deal of time and effort to groom the piste runs with a fleet of groomers.

The significant amount of groomed, piste runs equates to an intermediate's playground. Powder days are huge .. more freshies just by traversing a little bit further across Virgin Mile or South face.

If you have the traversing legs - skiing off the West Face and then traversing around the mountain to the base of the Wayleggo Chair (below the car park) is a wonderful experience. The absolute silence - the beautiful valleys and peaks slowly sliding by. Mount Hutt have thoughtfully placed marker poles to point your traverse - go below them and you're hiking out.

Top to bottom the fast way is outstanding and involves several downhill-type speed air jumps where distance and hang-time makes up for height. Better make sure your legs are up to it though - 672 vertical metres adds up quickly!

All in all - a great mountain - well equipped and run, plus plenty of snow just to complete the picture.