Mount Hutt, New Zealand

Visitor reviews for Mount Hutt

• September 01, 2008
  Andrew A from NEW ZEALAND
  

  To call Mt Hutt 'sheltered from most winds' is a plain lie. Rossini and Bdalza's reviews are more consistent with what I (pass holder for 8 years) have experienced at Mt Hutt. On a powder day it can be great and the snow is always as well presented as conditions allow. The field does struggle with prevailing weather, especially wind, snow and low-vis which close the road regularly. Lift icing has been a BIG problem this year, so check which lifts are actually operating on 'open' days. New 6-lift can make the experience a bit one-dimensional as everyone goes up and down the same way, if the triple is not open.

  [Comment by editor: the content of this review that was directed to an individual has now been removed]

• September 17, 2006
  big al mcneil from AUSTRALIA
  

  I have just got back to Oz from what could only be described as the most fantastic ski trip I have had. I would rate myself as an intermediate skier, however, I got out of my comfort zone on Mt Hutt doing black runs on some of the best snow in years. Staying at Mt Hutt lodge on the Rakaia river just made it even better, when my friend and I landed a rainbow trout each. thank NZ.

• July 10, 2006
  Andrew from NEW ZEALAND
  

  Mount Hutt, consistently talked about as being the best ski field in New Zealand. With three chair lifts, this mountain is made very accessible and has the best lift accessed back coutry New Zealand can offer. The new 6 seater chair lift has done wonders for this field, when the queues are large (very rare even in holidays) this chair can get rid of large queues in a matter of miniutes, taking you up 500m vertical in just 4 miniutes! The quad from the base area offers awesome intermediate skiing and the trip (below carpark) offers double black diamond skiing and enables you to ski the towers and South face, massive powder runs. This mountain has awesome snow, dry powder and perfect groomed slopes, bumps and steep terrain. Green run from the top gives beginners a huge 10 miniute ride! Combine these with fast efficeint lifts, cold temps and shelter from most winds, dry snow, grromed slopes, steep powder runs and a huge field and you have in my opinion the best mountin in New Zealand! Just a short 1hr 30min drive to the top of the mountain from the city of Christchurch makes it a very accessible field offering beautiful scenery, nothing beats the view from the top looking over the back from the top of the mountain where some of the Lord of the Rings was filmed! Go to Hutt, you wont be dissapointed!

• March 24, 2006
  Richard from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  Driving up to this place scared the hell outa me, the drop was huge and it didn't feel right. That said, when I got to the top I was welcomed by a awesome base camp with friendly helpful staff. Unfortunatley this was one of the worst ski seasons for down south so there was not the best possible off-piste but on-piste was awesome and the view was teriffic. Definately recommended and I hope to go back one day.... ohh yeah, wouldn't be the same without the Kia in the carpark that tried to eat my boot laces =]

• May 06, 2005
  Rossini from AUSTRALIA
  

  Mt Hutt is not everyones cup of tea, the best of the skiing/snowboarding is off piste, the snow can be wind affected and the ski field closed due to high winds.
  However the seasons are long the snow usually abundant and when Hutt is "on" it is really on with great consistent virtical and great snow quality. (the wind blown snow has to be experienced to be believed).If you are into the backcountry you dont have to search to far to drop off into some untracked seclusion,plus there is heliskiing/ snowboarding from the car park.
  Methven the nearby town is a laid back rural centre with plenty of bars restaurants and accommodation. Mt Hutt is as good as any commercial field in NZ and better for my money than most

• October 04, 2004
  Bdazla from NEW ZEALAND
  

  commercial in flavour, somewhat limited in terrain, and often wind effected, Hutt is one of the less inspiring of NZ fields. Best feature is the proximity to Christchurch (1.45 hrs), which unfortunately can also lead to large crowds on weekends. Good view like all NZ fields. Reasonable back country to explore if so desired, but unfortunately no longer offer a single ride ticket on the lifts.

• January 27, 2004
  Andy Hacker from UNITED KINGDOM
  

  The best bit about this place is the drive up!! A 1000 ft drop off to the side, unprotected! Also the 'helping hand' you get from the ski patrol if you get stuck on the road. Picture a massive 4x4 nudging you up the icy road from behind!! Very cool
  Skiing area is limited on piste but the off piste rocks, esp if you can afford to hire a helicopter or snow cat for the day

• 
  C. Sinclair Stewart from CANADA
  

  The only possible thing better than Mt Hutt is winning the lottery. It's that good. My first day up the mountain was, with out a doubt, the best day of my entire life. I rode my first black diamond, drank my first beer, and even met my soul mate, Martha. Hi martha. Will you marry me? Please say yes, or I'll have nothing else to live for, aside from the beauty of Mt Hutt and all of its employees, particularly the snow makers. Those snow makers might even be better than winning the lottery.
  Overall I'd say that Mt Hutt is like a totem pole. No, wait, it's more like a guitar amplifier that you can turn up to 11. Most of the time it's at 10, but every now and then you choose to turn it to 11 because 11 is louder and better, like Mt Hutt.
  Hi mom.
  C. Sinclair Stewart