South Island Snow Safari - Christchurch to Queenstown

TOUR OVERVIEW

If you’ve been looking for an epic guided snow tour in New Zealand, stop your search! Whether you’re new to the snow or an experienced snow hound, we have it all right here packaged up for you. Our expert guides will take you across the South Island's best ski towns: Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Ohau, Wanaka and Queenstown.

Welcome to the best one-week guided ski and snowboard tour of the South Island! Our expert guides are ready to show you the best runs and powder stashes across six different mountains over eight days.

We’ve got everything organised: your transport and transfers to the mountains, your accommodation, lift passes, breakfast and even your entry to the hot pools in Tekapo are all included in this snow tour package.

If you want to add on any extras like equipment hire or lessons, that’s easy! Just click the add-on options when you book the tour and we’ll sort it!

On this small group tour you’ll experience the best ski resorts in New Zealand as well as a slope or two that is ‘off-the-beaten-track’. Our expert snow guides are not only exceptional people, but also live, breathe and dream about snow – with over 100 seasons between them both here and abroad, you know you’re with the best!

While you’ll see a lot of snow on this safari, you’ll also see a great deal of the South Island’s main attractions! We’ve even scheduled one day in Queenstown as a non-ski day so you can book from our range of optional activities, or chill out and enjoy the Queenstown winter vibe.

Beginners – we love showing you the ropes (and the chair lifts, and the best beginner slopes) – this tour is suited to your needs, just add on a Snow lessons package and you’ll have a blast getting your confidence up, and be taking on some intermediate runs by the time we wrap up.

Snow Safari Tour Tips:

As the tour starts early in the morning, you can opt to stay at our accommodation in Queenstown or Christchurch the night before the tour – only having to walk downstairs on the day the tour starts makes for a stress-free morning. Likewise, you can book an extra night of accommodation on the last day so that you are not in a rush once we go our separate ways.

The tour price includes dorm share accommodation but if you would prefer your own space you have the option to upgrade to a private room for the duration of your tour.

Note that due to unforeseen weather/snow conditions, changes may need to be made to the itinerary. Luckily, our tour guides are super flexible pros, so they’ll make sure you have a good time no matter where the trip takes you.

Like any Haka Tour we include everything you need for a stress free week – the full list is below, and we have packages to suit all skill levels. $99 deposit reserves your spot!

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

6 lift passes to 6 different mountains 

7 nights of accommodation in dorm share style rooms

7 breakfasts

1 dinner

DAY 1 - CHRISTCHURCH

Welcome to Christchurch! 

Settle into your accommodation and be ready for the 6pm pre-tour meeting. Here you will get to know your Tour Manager and be introduced to your new roadtrip friends.

Afterwards, the evening is yours to enjoy.

We recommend checking out the Little High Eatery - offering a combination of different local and international delights under one roof. Or how about heading to New Regent’s Street for an ice cream where you will find vintage buildings painted in pastel colours.

DAY 2  - CHRISTCHURCH TO TEKAPO - MT HUTT

Your day starts bright and early at 6am. 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.

SLOPE INFO

Mt Hutt 

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

Height: 2075m 

Vertical: 683m 

Skiable Area: 365ha 

OPTIONAL ADD-ONS 

Ski clothing and gear hire

DAY 3 - TEKAPO TO WANAKA - OHAU/MT DOBSON/MT HUTT

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.

SLOPE INFO

Ohau 

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

Height:1825m 

Vertical:400m 

Skiable Area:125ha

Roundhill

20% beginners, 45% intermediate. 35% advanced

Base Area Elevation: 1350m

Highest Lifted Point: 2133m

Vertical Rise: 783m

Terrain:  550 hectares

Mt Dobson

25% beginners; 50% intermediate; 25% advanced

Vertical:  1,600 – 2,030m (430)

Terrain: 400 hectares

DAY 4 - WANAKA - TREBLECONE | CARDONA

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. 

SLOPE INFO

Treble Cone 

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

Height: 1960m 

Vertical: 700m 

Skiable Area: 550ha

DAY 5 - WANAKA TO QUEENSTOWN - CARDRONA

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. 

SLOPE INFO

Cardrona 

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

Height: 1860m 

Vertical: 600m 

Skiable Area: 345ha

DAY 6 - QUEENSTOWN - THE REMARKABLES

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!

OPTIONAL ADD-ONS

• Kawarau Bridge Bungy

• Lord of the Rings 4WD Tour

• Nevis Bungy - NZ’s Highest

• Shotover Jet Boat

• KJet

• Dart River Funyaks

• Milford Sound Cruises

• Canyon Swing

• Heli Skiing

• Time Tripper - Underwater Experience

DAY 7 - QUEENSTOWN - THE REMARKABLES 

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. 

SLOPE INFO

The Remarkables 

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

Height: 1943m 

Vertical: 357m 

Skiable Area: 220ha

DAY 8 - QUEENSTOWN - CORONET PEAK 

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.

SLOPE INFO

Coronet Peak 

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

Height: 1649m 

Vertical: 462m 

Skiable Area: 280ha 

OPTIONAL ADD-ONS 

Extra night accommodation in Queenstown 

FAQ

WHO ARE THE TOUR GUIDES? 

Our tour managers are all passionate snow enthusiasts with heaps of experience in guiding. They are there to ensure you have the best time possible. Head guide Mike Burton is a current international snowboard judge and was the guide for the Quiksilver Team when they travelled NZ with us – and as for the rest of the team, you can check out their profiles online to get to know them.

WHAT HAPPENS IF A MOUNTAIN IS SHUT? 

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

I'M A BEGINNER. IS THIS TOUR SUITABLE FOR ME? 

Yes. If after your two initial lesson days you still feel you would like more instruction, we can organise this for you on the day. The price is from approximately NZ$55 per person for a group lesson.

WHAT IS THE HIRE GEAR LIKE? 

Skis are from 4FRNT, Atomic and Salomon. Boards are from Burton and Academy. Poles are from Scott. Clothing is from Aggression and ski boots are from Nordica. Equipment/gear will be hired on the morning of day one and you will have the same gear for the duration of the tour, which means you can get used to it and progress much quicker. Your gear will be matched to suit your ability and experience.

CAN YOU HELP ME OUT FOR EXTRA DAYS BEFORE AND AFTER THE TOUR? 

Yes, we can arrange trips to Mt Hutt near Christchurch with accommodation in Methven, or time at Coronet Peak or The Remarkables, with accommodation in Queenstown.

WHAT IS THE SIZE OF A SNOW TOUR GROUP? 

The maximum size of a Snow Safari tour is 16 people.