Snowman Shuttles - Daily Bus and Shuttle Transport from Christchurch to Mount Hutt

NZ Freephone: 0800 SNOWMAN
(0800 766 962)
International: +64 3 337 5750
Email: info@snowmanshuttles.co.nz

The Snow Pilgrimage - 7 Days - Christchurch to Queenstown

pilgrimage - n. a journey, especially a long one, made to some sacred place as an act of devotion

This 7 day journey through the heart of the Southern Alps vists 6 of the best club and commercial ski fields the South Island has to offer. Starting in Christchurch and ending in Queenstown, The Pilgrimage offers stunning scenery, great fun, and epic Skiing or Snowboarding!

Standard Package

$1799

Includes everything on our 'what's included' list below.

In a nut shell - Transport, Lift Passes, Breakfast and Accommodation.

The standard package is for the skier or snowboarder who has all their own equipment.

If you need ski or snowboarding equipment for the week you can choose from one of our rental packages.

Beginners can get their skiing and snowboarding future off to a great start with our beginners add on. Lessons from professional instructors will ensure you get the most out of your week on the mountains.

Rental Add OnS

$195 - standard rental equipment

$250 - performance rental

$300 - demo skis
(this seasons latest equipment)

Add this to the Standard package and get your rental equipment for the week.

Either Ski's Boots and Poles or Snowboard and Boots. Demo gear not available for Snowboarding.

Beginners Add On

$300 - Beginners Lessons and Rental

Get the most out of your week and jump start your skiing or snowboarding experience with our beginners add-on.

Add this to the Standard package and get your rental equipment for the week and lessons on your first and second day (total of 3 lessons).

from $40 - Improver lessons

All the ski fields we visit have excellent ski schools with group and private lessons available. You can add these as you go on any day you need. Beginners to Advanced.

Day 1 - Porters Ski Area

We start our day in Christchurch and travel to Porters Ski Area, the closest Ski Field to Christchurch. On the way, we stop at the rental shop to kit out your gear for the week.

Beginners get their first lessons while the more experienced can try the Bluff Face or "Big Mama" - the Southern Hemispheres biggest vertical run.

At the end of the day we travel to Methven, the resort town at the base of Mt Hutt, for an overnight stay.

Tour Dates - 2011
Departs Christchurch	Arrives Queenstown	Availability
Sun 24th Jul	Sat 30th Jul	Sold Out
Sun 7th Aug	Sat 13th Aug	Sold Out
Sun 21st Aug	Sat 27th Aug	Good	Book Now
Sun 4th Sep	Sat 10th Sep	Good	Book Now

Day 2 - Mount Hutt Ski Area

Mt Hutt is a short 40 minute drive from Methven. On a clear day you can see all the way across the patch-worked Canterbury Plains out to the Pacific Ocean in one direction and into the heart of the Southern Alps in the other. One of the few places in New Zealand where you can see Mt Cook and the ocean from the same point.

Beginners will progress their ability with another lesson in the morning while the more experienced can check out the South Face or the Rakaia Chutes.

Mt Hutt is also home to Mt Hutt Helicopters where you can get the best value Heli-skiing and boarding in New Zealand with North Peak runs starting at $185

At the beginning or end of the day, consider Heli-taxi for stylish arrival or departure from the mountain.

From Mt Hutt we travel to Tekapo where we will spend the next 3 nights.

Day 3 - Mt Dobson

Mt Dobson, a short drive back over the hill from Tekapo, and the first of the 'club fields' we visit. Mt Dobson boasts the highest carpark in New Zealand at 1725m which means we should get dry powdery snow.

Being a club field you can expect noticably smaller crowds, an absense of lift queues and endless fresh lines.

At the end of the day we return to Tekapo.

Day 4 - Rest Day

Day 4 is officially our rest day.

Tekapo offers ice skating, snow tubing, and hot pools. Relax the weary muscles while you soak in the hot pools with wonderful views looking out over Lake Tekapo and the Two Thumb mountain range.

In the evening you have the option of visiting the Mt John Observatory for a spectacular display of the Southern Sky.

Day 5 - Ohau

Ohau Snow Fields is a fun and friendly ski area surrounded by spectacular scenery. Don't be completely drawn in by the scenery though as there will be plenty of great skiing and boarding. For the experts, a little hiking around the tops will give access to the best powder snow and the views from there are really magnificent and definitely worth the effort.

At the end the day we travel to Wanaka which will be our home for the final two nights of the journey.

Day 6 - Treble Cone

With 550ha spread over two basins, Treble Cone is the largest ski area in the South Island. Natural terrain features include sculpted, fun, gullies, wide faces and exciting undulating runs. This is a great day to get out and explore the mountain.

We return to Wanaka at the end of the day.

Day 7 - Cardrona

Our final day of the tour takes us to the Cardrona Alpine Resort located between Wanaka and Queenstown. With gentle, wide open trails for beginners to chutes and world class terrain parks and half pipes for the advanced. .

At the end of the day, we finish the tour in Queenstown where you can catch your flights home or stay on for more skiing and boarding at Coronet Peak and Remarkables ski areas.

(Discounted return transport to Christchurch the following day is also available.)

What's Included?

Transport - Pick up from your accommodation in Christchurch, transport to and from the ski field each day and drop off at your accommodation in Queenstown.

Driver/Guide - It wouldn't be a tour without one! Your driver is here to take care of the driving, chain fitting, getting your lift passes, and since all our drivers are skiiers or snowboarders themselves, they will always be happy to show you where the best runs are.

6 Nights accommodation

Continential Style Breakfast each morning days 2 - 7. You'll need to take care of yourself day 1, but we've got you from there.

Lift Passes for each of the ski fields

Accommodation

We have picked some of the best 'backpacker' style accommodation we can find on the route. Standard accommodation is quad share dorm with options to upgrade.

Extras to consider for the budget...

Lunch and Dinner each day - cooking facilities are available at our accommodation each night or there are selection of restaurants near all our accommodation. Each ski area has cafe facilities available.

Rental Equipment - the standard tour package does not include rental equipment. We have a selection of rental equipment available for various abilities. We get our rental gear from one of the finest rental equipment suppliers in the South Island. Beginner or advanced, you have the same equipment for the full week so you don't have to get to know new gear each day.

Clothing Hire - if you don't have the ski gear already and don't want to commit to buying some before you learn to ski or board we have outer wear available for hire. Jacket, Pants, Goggles, Gloves and a hat.

Warm Clothing (base layer) - we don't hire out underwear - nor would you want to. A good stock of thermal underwear will help keep you warm for the week; as will a good supply of thick winter socks - don't be afraid to spend money here, your feet will love you for it. If your not sure what you need, we can help you out at the rental shop - they also sell the right clothing for skiing and boarding.