Mt Hutt: New Zealand’s best hidden ski destination

When most people think of skiing New Zealand they probably immediately think of places like The Remarkables, Coronet Peak, Treble Cone and Cardrona. There’s no doubt these ski fields are amazing, but there’s another one you may not have heard about that offers incredible terrain too. Mt Hutt is located a little over an hour from Christchurch, making it a destination that’s easy to visit not just for locals, but overseas visitors too. I found myself visiting Mt Hutt a few years back, basing myself out of the gorgeous little town of Methven and staying at a local spot called The Lodge. Here’s a more detailed look at New Zealand’s hidden ski destination and some insight into where to stay.

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Where is this magical place?

Located near Christchurch on New Zealand’s South Island, Methven is a quaint little town that comes alive in the winter months. A veritable winter wonderland, the Mt Hutt ski fields offer amazing skiing and snowboarding, a real favourite among Christchurch locals. Away from New Zealand’s beloved ski fields further down south, Mt Hutt is a new place to explore, a fun and friendly destination where you can lose entire days shredding the slopes, sipping cold beers or hot chocolates and immersing yourself in the sensational snow of the south island.

How the heck do I get my sweet buns there?

It’ll take you around 1 hour and 15 minutes to drive from Christchurch to Methven, the little town nestled at the bottom of the Southern Alps that acts as a base for visitors to Mt Hutt. What’s great about Mt Hutt is it’s a budget-friendly, super easy alternative for anyone looking for some winter fun without wanting to venture as far south as Queenstown. I made my visit to Mt Hutt part of a larger ski trip itinerary, opting to drive from Christchurch down to Queenstown and Wanaka, visiting the southern ski fields first, then making the drive back up and ending the trip with two nights in Methven and a few days on the Mt Hutt ski fields.

If you’re based in Brisbane or the east coast of Australia, it’s easy and affordable to fly to Christchurch, hire a car and drive out to Methven. In some instances, it’s an even better alternative to venturing down to Thredbo or Perisher as you’ll be treated to New Zealand’s fantastic winter sports conditions and natural beauty at a comparable price.

What are the rooms like?

The Lodge is the perfect base for your ski and snowboard adventures. The hotel is located right in the heart of Methven, which isn’t really all that hard given it’s a pretty small town. That said, the location made it really easy for me to head out on foot, visit the local cafes, shops and pubs and not have to worry about climbing back into the car and driving each time I wanted to go somewhere.

I stayed in a double room which was really spacious and comfortable, equipped with one queen and one single bed. The room was genuinely spacious, I could easily spread out all my luggage and ski gear and still have plenty of room to walk around. The bed was really comfortable, offering a great night’s sleep each evening, which I genuinely needed after a big day of skiing. There’s loads of storage and cupboard space, making it easy to hang up all your ski gear to dry out in the nice warm room. The bathroom was spacious, very clean and the shower offered fantastic water pressure for a nice, steamy, hot shower.

You’ll find the wifi really fast and totally free. I was even able to watch some Netflix without any trouble. The room also includes a mini-fridge, tea and coffee making facilities, a television, heater and a desk and chair. Like I said, decked out with everything you need. There’s a continental breakfast each morning which offers guests toast and condiments, cereals, tea and coffee, a great simple start to each day before you head up to the mountain. Attached to the hotel is a restaurant and bar, Crossroads, where you can get your hands on a glass of wine or cold beer as well as a delicious dinner. Best of all, guests of the hotel are offered a discount on food and drinks.

The accommodation itself is simple, clean, comfortable and just the ideal spot for a visit to Mt Hutt. The kind of accommodation you look forward to getting back to after a big day on the slopes because it’s cosy, comfortable and the perfect place to unwind each day. Don’t let the understated facade fool you, The Lodge offers great accommodation.

I had a great stay at The Lodge and really looked forward to getting back to the room each day, finding it a very comfortable spot to be based. It offered great accommodations, easy access to the local area and a warm, welcoming and very friendly atmosphere which made the stay extra enjoyable.

But, what is there to do?

Without a doubt, the number one thing to do is visit Mt Hutt and spend your time shredding the slopes! If you’re planning on driving up to Mt Hutt you’ll need to check the road conditions before heading up and make sure you’re carrying snow chains if required to do so. To make life a little easier, we booked ourselves on one of the local shuttle bus services, , which dropped us up at the ski field in the morning and picked us up in the afternoon.

Without a doubt, the number one thing to do is visit Mt Hutt and spend your time shredding the slopes. If you’re planning on driving up to Mt Hutt you’ll need to check the road conditions before heading up and make sure you’re carrying snow chains if required to do so. To make life a little easier, I booked myself on one of the local shuttle bus services, Snowman Shuttles, which dropped me up at the ski field in the morning and picked me up in the afternoon.

Of all the fields I visited, Mt Hutt was the biggest surprise package. From the top, standing on the snow, you can see all the way out to the water, which kind of blew my mind. By the time I visited Mt Hutt I had a few lessons under my belt as well as having made my way down Treble Cone twice and Cardrona a few times, so I was really ready to spend the day working on my turns and trying out my shred skills. I absolutely loved Mt Hutt! Highway 72 was the perfect run for me, offering plenty of space to take some nice, wide turns and soak in insanely good views of the local area.

Mt Hutt also offers four freestyle terrain parks, 365 hectares of snow to play on, one six-seater, one four-seater, one three-seater and two learner lifts as well. More advanced skiers and snowboarders will be able to really get into the terrain and leave the trails, giving them more to explore. Of course, there’s childcare and a wide range of restaurants and cafes to visit. I ate at Huber’s Hutt and loved the food and coffee, and cold beers at the end of the day.

Talk me through the food situation…

• If they’re doing a pop-up while you’re in town (check their Facebook for dates), you absolutely must eat at the local hero, Truck Norris Texas BBQ. I ate there on my first night and loved it so much I went back again on the second night, it was just that good.
• If you love dumplings and ramen be sure to make a visit to Purple Dragon
• Visit Pioneers Cafe for a yummy lunch, their soups are divine and the toasted sandwiches really hit the spot
• If you’re after hearty pub grub, look no further than The Blue Pub or The Brown Pub 
• For something a bit fancier, check out The Dubliner 
• Head out for breakfast at Arabica Cafe 
• Duck into Cafe Primo e Secundo for breakfast, brunch or lunch
• Grab a bite to eat at Crossroads at The Lodge

The verdict

I really enjoyed my stay at The Lodge. It was the perfect base for a ski trip, allowing me to get out and spend all day on the ski fields without feeling guilty like I’d forked out a lot of money for accommodation and was wasting it by being away all day. In saying that, the accommodation is by no means a slouch. I loved the friendly service and coming back to my cosy, comfy room in the afternoon to fire up the heater, peel off the snow gear and lay down for a much-needed relaxation session on the big, comfy bed.

I think Mt Hutt is a fantastic ski destination for anyone in Australia who doesn’t want to make the journey down to Queenstown, be it for budget and time reasons or those who simply can’t be bothered. Instead, a visit to the little town of Methven and the Mt Hutt ski fields will see you shredding with locals, enjoying some really friendly ski fields ideal for learners and the more experienced. The Lodge serves as your go-to accommodation base, offering comfortable, reliable and easy digs that will see you exploring Methven, tearing up the ski fields and unwinding too.

Frequently asked questions about Mt Hutt and Methven

Is Mt Hutt good for beginner skiers?

Absolutely. Mt Hutt has dedicated beginner areas and offers lesson packages that include lift access, group lessons and equipment hire. The mountain has a good mix of terrain, so while experienced skiers will find plenty of challenge, beginners won’t feel out of their depth.

How long is the drive from Christchurch to Mt Hutt?

It takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes to drive from Christchurch to Methven, the base town for Mt Hutt. From Methven to the ski field itself is another 35 minutes up a winding mountain road.

When is the best time to ski Mt Hutt?

The season generally runs from June through to October, with the best snow typically found in July and August. Mt Hutt is known for having one of the longest ski seasons in New Zealand due to its altitude and south-facing slopes.

Is Mt Hutt better than Queenstown ski fields?

It depends what you’re after. Mt Hutt is quieter, more affordable and easier to access from Christchurch. Queenstown fields like The Remarkables and Coronet Peak offer more variety and a bigger resort feel, but they’re also busier and more expensive. If you want a relaxed, authentic Kiwi ski experience without the crowds, Mt Hutt wins.

Do I need snow chains to drive to Mt Hutt?

You may need to carry snow chains when driving up to Mt Hutt, especially during winter. Check the road conditions before you head up. Alternatively, you can book a shuttle service like Snowman Shuttles which takes care of the driving for you.

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