Mt Hutt Ski Field
Mount Hutt is a large mountain with direct access from the Canterbury Plains.
No travelling along mountain roads to get here. It is an established ski field with a wide shingle road leading up to the ski field car park and ski tows. The ski filed faces south to take advantage of the cold southerly winds bring fresh snow during the winter. South faces being on the shady side of the mountain also prevent winter and early spring snow melts which helps extend the ski season.
Mt Hutt is about 1.5 hours drive from Christchurch to reach the ski field car parks.
One advantage is that there is no driving through foothills or other mountain ranges to get to it. Access is direct from the Canterbury Plains up the ski access road to the alpine areas.
While the road is usually open to the Rakaia Saddle permission and a key may be required from the Mt Hutt Ski Company in Methven. Contact them first for permission and key. https://www.mthutt.co.nz/.
There are three main areas which are easily accessed. Scotts Saddle and further on Rakaia Saddle and finally the main Mount Hutt Ski Field when there is no snow.
The best are Rakaia Saddle and Mt Hutt Ski Field.
It is worth planning several trips during the spring, summer and autumn to fully appreciate the wide range of alpine plants and animals (insects and reptiles).
The next few pages feature images taken by me on various trips to My Hutt.
In the menu go to Field Trips/Mt Hutt/and then the page links will pop up. Click on the links.
No travelling along mountain roads to get here. It is an established ski field with a wide shingle road leading up to the ski field car park and ski tows. The ski filed faces south to take advantage of the cold southerly winds bring fresh snow during the winter. South faces being on the shady side of the mountain also prevent winter and early spring snow melts which helps extend the ski season.
Mt Hutt is about 1.5 hours drive from Christchurch to reach the ski field car parks.
One advantage is that there is no driving through foothills or other mountain ranges to get to it. Access is direct from the Canterbury Plains up the ski access road to the alpine areas.
While the road is usually open to the Rakaia Saddle permission and a key may be required from the Mt Hutt Ski Company in Methven. Contact them first for permission and key. https://www.mthutt.co.nz/.
There are three main areas which are easily accessed. Scotts Saddle and further on Rakaia Saddle and finally the main Mount Hutt Ski Field when there is no snow.
The best are Rakaia Saddle and Mt Hutt Ski Field.
It is worth planning several trips during the spring, summer and autumn to fully appreciate the wide range of alpine plants and animals (insects and reptiles).
The next few pages feature images taken by me on various trips to My Hutt.
In the menu go to Field Trips/Mt Hutt/and then the page links will pop up. Click on the links.