South Island Snow Odyssey

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. Known locally as ‘The Remarks' the ski field is located at the eastern end of Queenstown's Lake Wakatipu. Imagine a vast natural amphitheatre hidden in the snow-capped rugged ranges.

Being so high up is a major benefit; it gives the ski field a long, reliable season – and the north-facing aspect makes it a natural sun-trap so bring your sun cream! 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.

The Remarkables ski area boasts a new international standard Super Pipe for advanced level riders and skiers. The 150m long, 22m wide pipe is triple the size of the existing terrain park at the top of Sugar Bowl Basin. The expanded Xbox Terrain and Rail Park and other features, combined with the big mountain possibilities, make The Remarkables the logical choice for the free riders out there.

Included

• Breakfast, Lift Pass

Slope Info - The Remarkables

• Levels: 30% Beginner, 40% Intermediate, 30% Advanced
• Height: 1943m
• Vertical: 357m
• Skiable Area: 220ha

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

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

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

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

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

Today we'll head to either Roundhill, Mt Dobson or Mt Hutt 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. Located high in the Southern Alps, Canterbury's Mt Hutt Ski Area receives some of the lightest and driest powder in Australasia. A big mountain (365 skiable hectares) with great terrain, this ski field is an awesome winter experience for first timers and seasoned powder hounds. We ski/snowboard until around 3pm before setting off to New Zealand's largest South Island city, Christchurch.

Included

• Breakfast, Lift Pass

Slope Info - Roundhill

• 20% beginners, 45% intermediate. 35% advanced
• Base Area Elevation: 1350m
• Highest Lifted Point: 2133m
• Vertical Rise: 783m
• Terrain: 550 hectares

Slope Info - Mt Dobson

• 25% beginners; 50% intermediate; 25% advanced
• Vertical: 1,600 – 2,030m (430)
• Terrain: 400 hectares

Slope Info - Mt Hutt

• 25% beginners; 50% intermediate; 25% advanced
• Elevation: 1438m - 2086m (difference 648m)
• Vertical drop: 683
• Terrain: 365 hectares

Rise and shine! We depart Christchurch at 6am and head straight to Porters, 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 left of the base area) and Big Mama (which towers above the right). 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 in the Springfield area, a snow sports enthusiast's haven, complete with majestic views to enjoy after a busy day on the slopes plus some great bars and restaurants - ask your guide to recommend their favourites.

Included

• Breakfast, Lift Pass

Slope Info - Porters

• Difficulty: 15% Beginner, 35% Intermediate, 50% Advanced
• Height:1950m
• Vertical: 610m
• Skiable Area: 350ha

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

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. Renowned for its steep and big mountain terrain, you have the choice of three tows: Temple (faster and steeper), Cassidy (sunny smooth runs), and Downhill (ridgeline and advanced terrain). You can also check out the awesome chutes at Bills Basin and the popular back country area of Mingha Valley. 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 options with terrain to suit intermediates or the most advanced skiers. A little walking from the Top Tow opens 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! 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

Slope Info - Mt Olympus

• Difficulty: 10% Beginner, 55% Intermediate, 35% Advanced
• Height: 2096m
• Vertical: 450m
• Skiable Area: 60ha

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

Slope Info - Craigieburn

• Difficulty: 20% Beginner, 55% Intermediate, 25% Advanced
• Height: 1811m
• Vertical: 503m
• Skiable Area: 400ha

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