Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
HELISKIING
NZ's remote heights are tailor-made for heliskiing, with operators covering a wide off-piste area along the South-
ern Alps. Costs range from around $825 to $1450 for three to eight runs. HeliPark New Zealand (
Click here
) at
Mt Potts is a dedicated heliski park. Resort-run heliskiing is also available at Coronet Peak, Treble Cone,
Cardrona, Mt Hutt, Mt Lyford, Ohau and Hanmer Springs. Alternatively, independent operators include the fol-
lowing:
Alpine Heli-Ski
(
03-441 2300;
www.alpineheliski.com
; Queenstown)
Harris Mountains Heli-Ski
(
03-442 6722;
www.heliski.co.nz
;
Queenstown, Wanaka & Aoraki/Mt Cook)
Methven Heliskiing
(
03-302 8108;
www.methvenheli.co.nz
; Methven)
Over The Top
(
0800 123 359, 03-442 2233;
www.flynz.co.nz
;
Queenstown)
Southern Lakes Heliski
(
03-442 6222;
www.heliskinz.com
; Queenstown & Wanaka)
Wilderness Heliski
(
03-435 1834;
www.wildernessheli.co.nz
;
Aoraki/Mt Cook)
Northern South Island
Hanmer Springs
(
Click here
)
A commercial field based on Mt St Patrick, 17km from Hanmer Springs township, with
mostly intermediate and advanced runs. There are pipe-rides for snowboarders, a new beginners tow and family lodge
accommodation.
Mt Lyford
(
Click here
) Around 60km from both Hanmer Springs and Kaikoura, and 4km from Mt Lyford village, this
is more of a 'resort' than most NZ ski fields, with accommodation and eating options. There's a good mix of runs and a
terrain park.
Rainbow
( 03-521 1861, snow-phone 0832 226 05;
www.skirainbow.co.nz
; daily lift pass adult/child $70/35)
Borders Nelson Lakes National Park (100km from Nelson, a similar distance from Blenheim), with varied terrain, min-
imal crowds and good cross-country skiing. Chains are often required. St Arnaud is the closest town (32km).
Otago
Awakino
( 021 890 584;
www.skiawakino.com
; daily lift pass adult/child $50/25) A small player in North Otago,
but worth a visit for intermediate skiers. Oamaru is 45km away; Omarama is 66km inland. Weekend lodge-and-ski
packages available.
