7-Day Snow Safari Tour

7-Day Snow Safari Tour

There are no wild animals on this safari – just tonnes of beautiful snow!

It’s an early start on Day 1 as we meet at 6am for breakfast in Christchurch, before we head off to Mt Hutt. Each evening, you are welcome to relax at your accommodation, soak in the local hot tub, cook in, eat out, enjoy the nightlife or even night skiing... whatever takes your fancy.

As you build your tour online, you will see many optional activities available to add – but remember, none of these are compulsory. Not sure which activities to choose? No problem. Once you’ve paid a deposit and secured your seat you can add activities anytime until 45 days prior to departure.

Activities can also be purchased on tour – just let your tour guide know, they’ll be happy to help. As we can’t always guarantee availability when booking on tour, we suggest if there are any activities you definitely want to do that you pre-book them.

Itinerary

Day 1: Christchurch to Lake Tekapo

Stop At: Mt Hutt Ski Area, Methven New Zealand
Kia ora and welcome to Christchurch! Your tour starts bright and early at 6am, so we promise no cheesy introductions! With a whole day on the slopes ahead of us, we waste no time driving to Mt Hutt. On the way, your guide will make a stop at the ski/board hire shop to collect any equipment required.

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.

There are plenty of adrenalin-pumping black diamond runs on the South Face, presenting extreme skiers and boarders with as many different challenges as they can handle. The wide, open trails provide easy learning for novice skiers and excellent terrain to build on your existing skills. Tonight, we overnight at beautiful Lake Tekapo.

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Stay at the YHA at Lake Tekapo

Day 2: Lake Tekapo to Wanaka

Stop At: Lake Ohau, Twizel Queenstown Highway, Twizel New Zealand
Today we take you to Ohau, a remote ski field that can be found midway between Christchurch and Queenstown.

Ohau caters for all abilities, with snow ratings of 20% beginner, 50% intermediate and 30% advanced. From the highest point of 1825m, there is a 400m vertical fall to the base via ‘The Boulevard’, which is a wonderful ride for beginners on a safe, groomed trail as wide as a highway. Intermediates can choose the zig-zag ‘Luge’, and experts can push the limits on the ‘High Traverse’ and ‘Escalator’.

Ohau can offer exquisite dry powder snow and epic terrain – and will get you away from the tourist trail to experience an awesome range of ski fields.

Day2 also has alternative field options in order to make sure that all experience levels are catered for, with Mount Dobson and Roundhill also offering amazing skiing and boarding.

In the evening we drive to Wanaka, ready to start Day 3 bright and early.

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: YHA Wanaka

Day 3: Wanaka

Stop At: Treble Cone, 24 Dungarvon St Wanaka New Zealand
Treble Cone lies within the heart of the Southern Alps, with amazing views across the beautiful lakeside town of Wanaka.

It is also the largest ski area in the South Island with plenty of varied terrain. Spread over three large basins, there are trails to suit all ages and abilities. For those newer to snow sports, there is a purpose-built learner area and long, groomed beginner and intermediate trails. And for the more experienced skiers and boarders, there are numerous natural half pipes on the upper mountain as well as challenging advanced runs and ungroomed powder.

Treble Cone is notable for its Home Basin Express chairlift, so you can enjoy more runs per day than anywhere else. The saddle quad chair lift offers the highest lift-accessed terrain, longest groomed intermediate runs, and highest vertical drop in the South Island.

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

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

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: YHA Wanaka

Day 4: Wanaka to Queenstown

Stop At: Cardrona Alpine Resort, Wanaka, Cardrona 9382 New Zealand
Cardrona is renowned among skiers and boarders for inspiring terrain and dry natural snow. With 345 hectares of wide, undulating trails, open slopes, steep chutes and awesome terrain parks, there’s something here for all to enjoy.

A wide area 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. On-mountain facilities include five cafes, a shop, hire facilities and a workshop.

With over 20 national and international skiing and snowboarding events held at Cardrona each year, it's definitely one of the top mountains in New Zealand.

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Haka Lodge Queenstown or Nomads Queenstown

Day 5: Queenstown

Stop At: Haka Lodge Queenstown, 6 Henry Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
Day 5 is the day to catch our breath and see Queenstown, take part in some adventure activities, or go heli-skiing. You are welcome to hit the slopes again but your lift pass for today is not included in the tour price.

If you can't bear to be away from the snow for a day, there are a number of highly recommended heli-ski options. These will take you to untouched powder in the area. A trip to the Milford Sound is also a great way to spend the day. Either way, your bucket list is about to take a serious hit!

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Haka Lodge Queenstown or Nomads Queenstown

Day 6: Queenstown

Stop At: The Remarkables Ski Area, Queenstown New Zealand
Wide open trails, native kea, powder snow, spectacular views, sun-drenched terrain and unforgettable runs. There’s terrain here like you have never seen and if you’re willing to work your legs a little, you’ll discover super long off-piste runs.

The Remarks (as it’s known to the locals) is set in a vast natural amphitheatre high in the rugged ranges at the eastern end of Queenstown’s Lake Wakatipu. Being so far up is a major plus, giving the ski field a long, reliable season – and the north facing aspect makes it a natural sun-trap. The highest ski field in Queenstown at 1943m, the Remarks has something for everyone, including one of the most memorable runs in New Zealand – the long, fast sweep called ‘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 freeriders out there.

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Haka Lodge Queenstown or Nomads Queenstown

Day 7: Queenstown

Stop At: Coronet Peak, Queenstown New Zealand
Coronet Peak is the oldest and most developed ski area in the South Island. Spread across a broad mountain, the field is wide and sunny with an astounding variety of runs, and the on-field facilities are some of the best around. Everything is designed to ensure you make the most of skiing and boarding. Everyone can ski like a pro at Coronet Peak – there are dedicated slopes for first-timers, long, wide groomed trails and 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. For boarders, Coronet Peak is a natural terrain park, full of endless hits and powder stashes.

Exclusive night skiing is available on Fridays and Saturdays until 10pm. As the sun sinks slowly in the west, the lights come on and the fun begins – again!

You have the option of booking an extra night’s accommodation in Queenstown post-tour.

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Extend your stay with an extra night