Mount Hutt

Travel Guide

Photo provided by Mt Hutt Skifield - NZ Ski Ltd - Patrick Fallon
Photo provided by Mt Hutt Skifield - NZ Ski Ltd - Tony Harrington
Photo provided by Mt Hutt Skifield - NZ Ski Ltd - Tony Harrington
Mount Hutt
Rakaia Gorge showing a river or creek and tranquil scenes

Hit the slopes at this family-friendly South Island ski area and enjoy stunning mountain views. Choose from a diverse range of runs for beginners to off-piste experts.

Mount Hutt crowns the region of Canterbury in New Zealand’s South Island and is one of the country’s largest ski areas. Visit Mount Hutt to experience its scenic ski fields for all abilities, from beginner runs to challenging off-piste areas. Ski or snowboard over pristine snow while taking in views of the Southern Alps and all the way to the Pacific Ocean on a clear day.

Driving north from Methven, the village closest to Mount Hutt, discover beautiful mountain views looking out over the Rakaia River. Hire ski gear on the mountain if you didn’t bring your own and hit the slopes. Mount Hutt features 3.65 square kilometres (1.4 square miles) of skiable areas and a vertical height of 683 metres (2,240.8 feet), one of the longest vertical drops in the South Island.

Explore the network of groomed runs for all ages and abilities. Ski or snowboard over the mountain’s diverse terrain or work on your technique at the dedicated learning areas. Advanced skiers can try the terrain park, exciting off-piste areas and “The Towers”, a challenging run that weaves through rock formations at the top of the ski field.

Enjoy Mount Hutt’s high-speed six-seat chairlift as well as its quad and triple chairlift facilities. Beginners will appreciate the Magic Carpet, an enclosed surface lift that gently transports skiers up the slope.

Relax with a scenic lunch at the Mount Hutt restaurant and café, which features beautiful views of the Canterbury Plains and the mountain.

Mount Hutt has a five-month ski season and is regularly the first ski field in the Southern Hemisphere to open at the beginning of each season. The mountain is a family-friendly destination and features the Methven Kids 4 Free deal, in which children aged 10 and under are given free accommodation and meals in Methven Village and free lift passes daily on Mount Hutt.

Ski rental, lift passes and lessons can be purchased on Mount Hutt but accommodation is not available on the mountain. Mount Hutt is located a 35-minute drive from Methven and a 90-minute drive from Christchurch International Airport.

Novotel Christchurch Airport
Novotel Christchurch Airport
4.5 out of 5
30 Durey Road, Christchurch Airport, Christchurch, NZ
The price is €134 per night from 2 Jul to 3 Jul
€134
2 Jul - 3 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Christchurch. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,005 reviews)
"Best"

Reviewed on 20 Jun 2025

Novotel Christchurch Airport
Sudima Christchurch Airport
Sudima Christchurch Airport
4.5 out of 5
550 Memorial Avenue, Christchurch
The price is €87 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
€87
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Christchurch. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
"A great hotel minutes from the terminal. Surpassed my expectations of an airport hotel. Was modern, loads of amenities and staff super helpful. Free transfer bus to terminal was great and available 24/7. Great value for money too! Would recommend."

Reviewed on 10 Jun 2025

Sudima Christchurch Airport
Crowne Plaza Christchurch by IHG
Crowne Plaza Christchurch by IHG
4.5 out of 5
764 Colombo Street, Christchurch
Fully refundable
The price is €95 per night from 14 Jul to 15 Jul
€95
14 Jul - 15 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Christchurch. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (988 reviews)
"Very nice, updated hotel. Parking was close, as well as many restaurants and shopping."

Reviewed on 19 Jun 2025

Crowne Plaza Christchurch by IHG
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Brinkley Resort
Brinkley Resort
4 out of 5
43 Barkers Rd, Methven, Canterbury
Stay at this 4-star spa aparthotel in Methven. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Opuke Thermal Pools & Spa and Methven ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (9 reviews)
"Brinkleys was close to the pools and township and very clean but furnishings were somewhat dated and room was very small. It was great to have a shared washer/drier after being at the pools. Sad restaurant was not open as off peak"

Reviewed on 2 Jun 2025

Brinkley Resort
Pudding Hill Lodge & Chalets
Pudding Hill Lodge & Chalets
2 out of 5
5259 Arundel Rakaia Gorge Rd, Methven, Canterbury
Stay at this chalet in Methven. Enjoy free parking, a garden, and a picnic area. Popular attractions Awa Awa Rata Reserve and Methven Golf Course are located ...
"Spacious and tidy place to stay with a quiet outdoor feel. Was nice to have everything we needed there to prepare food and do washing."

Reviewed on 1 Apr 2024

Pudding Hill Lodge & Chalets
Our Bach. Fish, ski or relax in an amazing alpine setting!
Our Bach. Fish, ski or relax in an amazing alpine setting!
Lake Coleridge
Stay at this vacation home in Lake Coleridge. Enjoy laundry facilities.
9.8/10 Exceptional! (9 reviews)
Lake Coleridge getaway
"This is a comfortable older style house/bach which was clean and had all the necessities we required - comfy beds, warm and fully equipped. Sally was an excellent host and responded rapidly to our enquiries. Would recommend to others."

Reviewed on 7 Apr 2025

Our Bach. Fish, ski or relax in an amazing alpine setting!
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit