7 Day South Island Snow Safari Tour

The ultimate in New Zealand snow tours! You will ski or snowboard 6 of the top ski fields in the Southern Alps and have the chance to customise your NZ snow holiday further with discounted heli-ski options in Wanaka and Queenstown.

We also allow a break on day 5 in Queenstown where you are able to keep on skiing or take part in some wicked activity options such as bungy jumping, sky-diving, white-water rafting and heaps more!

Suitable for all abilities.

Price

From: NZD1699 per person (7 Days)

Price Includes

• All lift passes, lessons and equipment as per your selected package
• Services of an experienced and passionate tour manager!
• 6 nights' accommodation
• Breakfast every morning
• All transportation

Price Excludes

• ** Optional Extras ** Heli-skiing in Wanaka and Queenstown Night skiing in Queenstown Clothing hire - $160 for the week Upgrade your accommodation Bungy jumping, sky diving and white-water rafting on your final day!

Departure Dates

2010: 28 June | 6 July | 14 July | 22 July | 30 July | 7 August | 15 August | 23 August | 8 Sept | 16 Sept | 24 Sept

You can either end on day 7 in Christchurch or stay on in Queenstown!

You have the choice of 3 packages:

BEGINNER PACK: $1,799 NZD
6 x Equipment (skis or snowboard)
2 x Beginner Lessons with Learner's Lift Pass
4 x All Access Lift Pass

LIFT PASS AND HIRE PACK: $1,799 NZD
6 x Equipment (skis or snowboard)
6 x All Access Lift Pass

LIFT PASS ONLY PACK: $1,699 NZD
6 x All Access Lift Pass

DAY 1: CHRISTCHURCH TO MT HUTT

Kia Ora and welcome to Christchurch! Your guide will meet you outside Thomas's Hotel (Hereford Street) at 7am and we promise no cheesy introductions! With a whole day on the slopes ahead of us, we waste no time in leaving to drive to Mt. Hutt, one of New Zealand’s largest ski fields. 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 all 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.

Conditions permitting, there is also backcountry skiing down North Peak with a helicopter pick-up that drops skiers back at the car park.

DAY 2: OHAU

Today we take you to a well kept secret in New Zealand skiing circles, a remote ski field which can be found midway between Christchurch and Queenstown. Previous tour members have loved this field - describing it as a "true New Zealand club experience".

Ohau caters for all abilities, with snow ratings of 20% beginner, 50% intermediate and 30% advanced. From the highest point of 1,925 metres there is a 400 metre 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 the ‘Escalator’.

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

In the evening we drive to Wanaka so we are ready to start day 3 bright and early!

DAY 3: TREBLE CONE – WANAKA

Treble Cone has been reported as one of the most spectacularly scenic resorts in the world, lying within the heart of the Southern Alps. It has amazing views across the beautiful lakeside town of Wanaka.

Treble Cone is the largest ski area in the South Island with plenty of exhilarating skiing and snowboarding terrain. Spread over three large basins, there are trails to suit all ages and abilities. From the purpose-built learner area and long, groomed beginner and intermediate trails, to numerous natural half pipes on the upper mountain, challenging advanced runs and ungroomed powder, there’s plenty for everyone.

Treble Cone boasts New Zealand's fastest quad chairlift, so you can enjoy more runs per day than anywhere else. The saddle quad chairlift, installed in winter 2005, 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 5.5 metres and has an average maximum snow depth of 3.25 metres. 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.

DAY 4: CARDRONA – WANAKA

Cardrona is a very popular commercial field renowned among skiers and boarders for inspiring terrain and dry natural snow. With 320 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 and queues are rare. Cardrona's three basins offer wide-open spaces and a mix of terrain that's 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, we may make slight amendments to our tour itinerary if we feel any events would add value to your Haka Snow Safari experience!

DAY 5: FREE DAY – QUEENSTOWN

After taking onboard previous tour members' comments, we decided to give you the opportunity for a break on day 5! So you have the choice of either taking part in some extreme adventure activities, relaxing and exploring Queenstown, or continuing skiing / boarding if you would rather! There are a number of heli-ski options - from N$825 for 4 runs or N$995 for 7!

Queenstown Adventure Activities - Nevis bungy (right picture - N$229), Shotover Canyon Swing (N$190), Kawarua Bridge Bungy (N$169), white-water rafting, skydiving (N$285), mountain biking, horse trekking (N$138), extreme jet boating, paragliding (N$175) and more! Alternatively, how about a full day trip to the infamous gorgeous Milford Sound for N$160?

You are able to pre-book an activity when placing your deposit for the tour or whilst on the road. We recommend booking no more than 2 for the day!

NB. neither the activities nor your lift pass for today is included in the tour price. If you wish to continue skiing/boarding, a lift pass for The Remarks or Coronet Peak is N$85-90 (can be paid on the day).

DAY 6: CORONET PEAK – QUEENSTOWN

With outstanding views over Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu, 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 particular days until 10pm. As the sun sinks slowly in the west, the lights come on and the fun begins! This is the only NZ ski field to offer night skiing.

DAY 7: CORONET PEAK - QUEENSTOWN (then back to CHRISTCHURCH)

Wide open trails, native Keas, powder snow, spectacular views, sun drenched terrain and unforgettable runs. There's terrain here like you have never seen before, and if you're prepared to exercise the legs a little, you will discover some of the longest off-piste runs around.

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 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 called Homeward Bound.

The Remarks is a great place to learn to ski, with a series of sheltered bowls all accessed by chair lifts. Nearly three quarters of the slopes are rated beginner to intermediate – but there’s still plenty of off-piste challenge if you’re inclined towards the extreme.

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.

We ski / snowboard until mid afternoon, when we then make the journey back to Christchurch, to arrive by approximately 10pm. You are welcome to book extra nights' accommodation in Queenstown and keep skiing for longer!

Accommodation Details

We stay at a mix of good quality backpacker hostels and adventure lodges - hand picked for their high level service, standards and facilities. Standard accommodation is 4 or 6 share in dorm rooms. You can upgrade to a private room for $599 NZD (per individual/couple sharing).