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South Island Snow Odyssey

South Island Snow Odyssey5/51
South Island Snow Odyssey5 out of 5 based on 1 reviews
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FULLY HOSTED ROAD TRIP
11 Nights | 11 Days Riding at 10 Areas

Deposit must be paid by end of promotion date to qualify for discount
Location: New Zealand | Tour Focus: Guided | Terrain Focus: Off-Piste, On-Piste
Ability: Intermediate to Advanced
Price p/p
USD 2,820
Take an odyssey of the South Island to the best New Zealand ski fields ranging from big commercial ski resorts to club field gems with barely any crowds. No need to worry about driving or organising anything as your host looks after all the logistics.
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Fixed Date(s)
Days
Price
Availability
Fixed Date(s): Jul 09 - Jul 20, 2023
Days: 12
Price: USD 2,820
Availability: Available
Fixed Date(s): Jul 23 - Aug 03, 2023
Days: 12
Price: USD 2,820
Availability: Available
Fixed Date(s): Aug 06 - Aug 17, 2023
Days: 12
Price: USD 2,820
Availability: Available
Fixed Date(s): Aug 11 - Aug 22, 2023
Days: 12
Price: USD 2,820
Availability: Available
Fixed Date(s): Aug 20 - Aug 31, 2023
Days: 12
Price: USD 2,820
Availability: Filling
Fixed Date(s): Sep 03 - Sep 14, 2023
Days: 12
Price: USD 2,820
Availability: Available
Fixed Date(s): Sep 17 - Sep 28, 2023
Days: 12
Price: USD 2,820
Availability: Available
Future rates & dates are currently not yet available for this operator. Click here to enquire.
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South Island Snow Odyssey - 12 Days

This is it: the ultimate guided New Zealand snow tour that will take you to the best South Island ski resorts and club fields! We have the South Island’s ski and snowboard highlights and hidden gems all packaged up for you! Our expert snow guides will show you the slopes and the tow ropes on this 12 day snow tour.

The South Island Snow Odyssey from Haka Tours visits 11 mountains over 12 days with a mega combo of NZ club fields and the best commercial ski resorts in New Zealand. Accommodation, transport, hosting, lift passes, breakfasts, and some dinners are included. 

This extensive tour samples New Zealand’s most popular ski fields before heading off the beaten track to lesser known club fields loved by locals and pros alike. You’ll enjoy 11 mountains: The Remarkables, Coronet Peak, Porters, Cardrona, Ohau, Treble Cone, Roundhill, Broken River, Mt Olympus/Temple Basin and Craigieburn; and we’ll visit New Zealand’s favourite winter destinations: Queenstown, Wanaka, Christchurch and Lake Tekapo.

Highlights include: Porters ski field – an off-piste heaven with one of the largest vertical drops in New Zealand; Craigieburn – a well-kept-secret amongst locals with wide open powder bowls and lofty narrow shoots; and ever-popular Queenstown – packed with more adrenaline-pumping activities than there are hours in the day to enjoy them.

Ability Level

The tour is best suited to intermediate to advanced skiers and snowboarders as you’ll be using nutcrackers and rope tows to climb the slopes at most locations. But don’t let this put you off – the hosts are on hand to help, and most people adjust to using these tools after just a couple of runs. If you're a beginner, the Snow Safari Tour is more suited to your needs, but keep this tour in mind for when you’ve reached intermediate level!

Itinerary Snow Odyssey Tour

Starts Queenstown: As the tour starts early in the morning, you can opt to stay at the tour accommodation in Queenstown the night before the tour – only having to walk downstairs on the day the tour starts makes for a stress-free morning.

Ends Christchurch: You can book an extra night of accommodation in Christchurch on the last day.

Day 1 Queenstown | The Remarkables

Welcome to Queenstown! Your tour starts bright and early at 6am where the group will waste no time heading off to The Remarkables with a whole day on the slopes ahead of us. En route, you may stop to pick up any equipment you may have hired.

Today offers wide open trails, native keas (parrots), spectacular views, sun drenched landscapes and unforgettable runs. There's terrain here like you have never seen before. Known locally as ‘The Remarks’ the ski field is located at the eastern end of Queenstown’s Lake Wakatipu. Imagine a vast natural amphitheatre hidden in the snow-capped rugged ranges. Being so high up is a major benefit; it gives the ski field a long, reliable season – and the north-facing aspect makes it a natural sun-trap so bring your sun cream! The highest ski field in Queenstown at 1935 metres, The Remarks has something for everyone as the terrain offers challenges for skiers of all abilities, including one of the most memorable runs in New Zealand: the long, fast sweep named Homeward Bound. The Remarkables ski area boasts a new international standard Super Pipe for advanced level riders and skiers. The 150m long, 22m wide pipe is triple the size of the existing terrain park at the top of Sugar Bowl Basin. The expanded Xbox Terrain and Rail Park and other features, combined with the big mountain possibilities, make The Remarkables the logical choice for the free riders out there.

Day 2 Queenstown | Coronet Peak

Everyone can ski like a pro at Coronet Peak.. There are dedicated slopes for first timers and long, wide groomed trails with plenty of choice for more experienced skiers. Once you know the ropes, you'll enjoy the vertical off the express quad, or explore the rolling terrain with plenty of dips and drops for great variety. Coronet Peak is the oldest ski area in the South Island. Spread across a broad mountain, the field is wide and sunny with an impressive variety of runs, and the facilities are some of the best around. Everything is designed to ensure you make the most of skiing and boarding. For boarders, Coronet Peak is a natural terrain park, full of endless hits and powder stashes.

Day 3 Queenstown

Today is a chance to rest your legs and get to know the Adventure Capital of the World - Queenstown. From bungy jumping to skydiving, jet boating to visiting the world-famous Milford Sound, you really can complete your bucket list in a day. Of course, you are most welcome to continue skiing or boarding but this is a scheduled rest day, so your lift pass isn’t included. For anyone wanting to try heli-skiing there are several well-recommended heli-ski options. These will take you to untouched powder in the area.

Day 4 Queenstown to Wanaka | Cardrona

With over 20 national and international skiing and snowboarding events held at Cardrona each year, it's considered amongst pros as one of the top mountains in New Zealand. Renowned amongst skiers and boarders for inspiring terrain and dry natural snow, Cardrona is 345 hectares in size and is packed with undulating trails, open slopes, steep chutes and awesome terrain parks. There’s something here for all to enjoy. Most of the mountain is serviced by chair lifts, so access is easy. Cardrona’s basins offer wide-open spaces and a mixture of terrains that are suitable for snowboarders and skiers of all abilities. Facilities include five cafes, a shop, equipment hire and a workshop.

Day 5 Wanaka | Treble Cone

Hidden in the heart of the Southern Alps, Treble Cone has amazing views across the beautiful lakeside town of Wanaka. It’s also the largest ski area in the South Island with plenty of exhilarating skiing and snowboarding terrain. Treble Cone boasts New Zealand's fastest quad chairlift, so you can enjoy more runs per day than anywhere else. The saddle quad chairlift offers the highest lift-accessed terrain, longest groomed intermediate runs, and highest vertical drop in the South Island. From the purpose-built learner area and long groomed intermediate trails, to numerous natural half pipes on the upper mountain, there’s plenty for everyone here. Treble Cone’s proximity to the Southern Alps means reliable snow conditions and weather, and, just as importantly, it is protected from the bitterly cold southerly winds. Renowned for plenty of dry powder, Treble Cone receives an average annual snowfall of 5.5 metres and has an average maximum snow depth of 3.25 metres.

In the evening, Wanaka is an après-ski haven, with a vast number of places to dine, drink and dance the night away.

Day 6 Wanaka to Tekapo | Ohau

Today head to Ohau, a remote ski field located between Christchurch and Queenstown. From the highest point of 1,925 metres, there is a 400-metre vertical fall to the base via ‘The Boulevard’ (an epic ride for beginners on a safe trail as wide as a highway). Intermediates can choose the zig-zag ‘Luge’, and experts can push the limits on the ‘High Traverse’ and the ‘Escalator’. Ohau offers unrivalled dry powder snow and gets you off the tourist trail to experience the awesome range of ski fields available in the South Island of New Zealand.

Day 7 Tekapo to Christchurch | Roundhill/Mt Dobson/Mt Hutt

Today the group will head to either Roundhill, or Mt Dobson, or Mt Hutt depending on weather conditions.

Roundhill is one of Mackenzie Country’s best kept secrets.With the highest vertical drop in Australasia (at 783 metres), breath-taking views of Aoraki Mt Cook, and boasting one of NZ’s widest runs, the ski field offers an awesome day on the slopes with terrain to suit all capabilities.

Mt Dobson is best known for natural dry powder snow, trails for all abilities, all day sun and wide open uncrowded runs.

Located high in the Southern Alps, Canterbury’s Mt Hutt Ski Area receives some of the lightest and driest powder in Australasia. A big mountain (365 skiable hectares) with great terrain, this ski field is an awesome winter experience for first timers and seasoned powder hounds.

The group will ski/snowboard until around 3pm before setting off to New Zealand’s largest South Island city, Christchurch.

Day 8 Christchurch to Springfield | Porters

Rise and shine! The group will depart Christchurch at 6am and head straight to Porters, best known for its friendly and relaxed atmosphere. You can expect to find fewer people on these slopes and lots of untouched trails. Porter’s lifts run up two distinct valleys: Bluff Face (which towers above the left of the base area) and Big Mama (which towers above the right). At 620m, Big Mama boasts one of the largest vertical drops in one lift-accessed runs in New Zealand. Easy back-country riding is available from the top of the T3T-Bar. For the next two nights you'll stay at Springfield Lodge, a snow sports enthusiast’s haven, complete with an outdoor spa pool and majestic views to enjoy after a busy day on the slopes.

Day 9 Springfield | Broken River

Ready yourself for an epic adventure at Broken River. Born in the early 1950s when the founding members were just 20 and 28 years old, this ski field is a testament to people who are truly passionate about creating amazing snow experiences. The terrain consists of a large open basin serviced by five electrically driven rope tows. Yes, it’s time to learn how to use those nutcrackers! Don’t worry if you are new to rope tows – the tour manager will help you with your technique. Most people take a few tries to get it right; it’s all part of the fun! Tow protection gloves are provided. The highest point is 1820 metres and the total vertical is 420 metres, with lots of off-piste terrain available.

Day 10 Springfield to Craigieburn/ Mt Olympus / Temple Basin

Today you’ll head to either Temple Basin or Mt Olympus, depending on weather conditions. Temple Basin, the club, was founded in 1929 and still has that pioneering feel and represents a true alpine environment at the heart of Arthur’s Pass National Park. We leave those who prefer groomed slopes, a chairlift and lattes at home. Renowned for its steep and big mountain terrain, you have the choice of three tows: Temple (faster and steeper), Cassidy (sunny smooth runs), and Downhill (ridgeline and advanced terrain). You can also check out the awesome chutes at Bills Basin and the popular back country area of Mingha Valley. Mt Olympus ski area is also known as ‘the playground of the gods’. The area is a south-facing basin set high in the Craigieburn Range – perfect for trapping powder dumps. 450m of vertical drops over 60 hectares of varied terrain provide skiing and riding from beginner to extreme. From the top of the Main Tow and the Top Tow there are plenty of options with terrain to suit intermediates or the most advanced skiers. A little walking from the Top Tow opens even more terrain in this wide, open bowl. With the relatively low skier numbers and the choice of terrain, it can take up to a week to get tracks on some slopes! When you come off the slopes at the end of a big day we will grab a well-earned drink and dinner (included) at the ultra-cosy Craigieburn Lodge which is our accommodation for the next two nights.

Day 11 Craigieburn

Craigieburn has a cult following among locals who love big mountain skiing. Terrain at Craigieburn Valley is varied, exciting and challenging, with the famous 600m vertical descent of Middle Basin (which is often compared to a heli-skiing experience) accessible by a short traverse from the tow. Craigieburn Valley offers something for everyone – except beginners. Steep and deep, with wide open powder bowls and lofty narrow chutes accessed by three high-capacity rope tows servicing a vertical rise of 503m, Craigieburn leaves little to be desired.

Dinner tonight at the Craigieburn Lodge is also included.

Day 12 Craigieburn to Christchurch

One last snow day mastering the slopes of Craigieburn before blazing a trail back to Christchurch where your tour ends at around 8pm. You’re more than welcome to book an additional night of accommodation to extend your stay in Christchurch.

Rates, Inclusions & Add-Ons

2023 Rates

NZD$4,549 per person
  • Base/invoice currency is New Zealand Dollars (NZD)
  • Prices are per person including tax
  • Price is based on quad-share accommodation
  • Convert to your currency here
Inclusions
  • 11 nights accommodation (dorm share)
  • Daily continental breakfast
  • 3 dinners
  • 11 x lift passes to 10 different mountains
  • All transport & daily mountain transfers
  • Expert host/tour manager
  • Use of rope tow gloves and nut-cracker harness
Add-ons
  • Upgrade your accommodation to a private room
  • Heli-skiing
  • Ski / Snowboard hire
  • Airport transfers
  • Optional activities in Queenstown
  • Extend your stay
Not Included

Haka Tours Terms & Conditions

Your contract is with HAKA TOURS Ltd referred to as "HAKA TOURS".

A deposit of $99 is required at the time of booking, or full payment if booking is inside 30 days of departure, to secure your reservation.

All fares published supersede all prices previously advertised. Stated duration counts from day of departure to the day of return. HAKA TOURS reserves the right to cancel any ticket or booking or to refuse to carry any passenger where payment has not been received by HAKA TOURS within the specified time. Prices include New Zealand Government Goods and Services Tax (where applicable).

HAKA TOURS reserves the right to make changes to their itineraries or cancel any trip, including a guaranteed trip, at any time prior to departure if something beyond the control of HAKA TOURS deems it necessary; including natural disasters, political instability, terrorism, weather, cultural conditions or other external events. It is imperative that passengers check the most up-to-date information from our website just prior to their trip departing.

If HAKA TOURS cancels a trip on which you are holding a fully paid booking you may choose between an alternative trip or a full refund. The company is not responsible for any incidental expenses that you may have incurred as a result of your booking such as visas, vaccinations, or non-refundable flights. If the alternative trip chosen is of a lower value than that originally booked then you are entitled to a refund of the price difference. If the alternative tour chosen is of a higher value then you will pay the difference in price.

Cancellation Policy
  • Period % Cancellation Fee
  • Outside 30 days Loss of tour deposit
  • Within 30 days 50% of tour cost
  • Within 7 days 100% of tours cost
(Note: Holiday cost includes base tour price, any add-ons and activities booked through us). Please be aware that if you have booked through a third party like a travel agent, their cancellation policy and terms and conditions may differ to our own. Be sure to check their particular terms and conditions, including cancellation policy, as they will apply.

No refund will be made if you voluntarily leave a trip for any reason. This includes refund of accommodation, transport, sightseeing, activities, meals or services not utilised.

Age/Child Policy
HAKA TOURS offers’ adventure, snow and mountain-biking tours across New Zealand that are designed for travellers that are young of heart and ready for a good time. To travel with us we require that you are at the minimum age limit of 18 years at time of travel. Anyone over the age of 50 years is more than welcome on our tours but please be aware that a moderate level of fitness is required whilst on tour, so we do recommend that you are relatively fit, healthy and looking for the adventure of a lifetime. If you have any concerns surrounding your age and whether or not our tours will be suitable for you, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will be more than happy to discuss your options.

Local Partners

In many parts of New Zealand HAKA TOURS works with highly reputable local specialist operators. These local partners are all passionate about the activities they operate and offer the same high standards as HAKA TOURS.

Passports & Visas
All travellers must have a valid passport for international travel and many countries require at least 6 months validity from the date of return and some countries require a machine-readable passport. It is important that you ensure that you have valid passports, visas and re-entry permits which meet the requirements of immigration and other government authorities. Any fines, penalties, payments or expenditures incurred as a result of such documents not meeting the requirements of those authorities will be your sole responsibility. Visit the NZ Immigration website to see if you need a visa to holiday here: http://www.immigration.govt.nz/

Luggage Limits
Within New Zealand travel, each passenger is entitled to take one case, the sum of its length, width and depth not to exceed 160 cm (63 inches), weight limit 20 kilos along with a small day pack. Airlines permit only one cabin bag per person, in which personal items such as cameras, make-up etc. should be carried, though you need to check with your airline provider as to their specific requirements. Over-limit luggage cannot be carried. HAKA TOURS operates in a similar way and asks if you have over the above limit to please get in touch before your tour. Baggage is at 'owner's risk'. Most airports, hotels & hostels offer storage services for additional luggage.

Important Information Exclusion of Liability
Whilst HAKA TOURS will take all reasonable steps to provide an enjoyable tour, it accepts no liability for any loss of enjoyment experienced by passengers due to circumstances beyond its control. HAKA TOURS further accepts no liability for any loss beyond its reasonable control and provides no warranties in addition to those set out under the The Fair Trading Act 1986, and nothing herein restricts any passenger from exercising their rights and remedies pursuant to law. Your Travel Agent will forward booking confirmations and other payments to HAKA TOURS on your behalf, but your Travel Agent is not our agent for the purpose of receipt of monies. Receipt of booking confirmations and subsequent payments by the travel agent does not constitute receipt of those monies by HAKA TOURS and the Travel Agent has no authority expressed or implied to receive monies on our behalf. There is no liability on the part of HAKA TOURS in respect to any monies paid to the passenger's Travel Agent unless and until HAKA TOURS notifies the passenger (by way of a booking confirmation advice or payment receipt advice) that monies have been received by HAKA TOURS. The optional tour excursions are not operated by, or at the direction of, or on behalf of HAKA TOURS, its employees or agents or any other persons or companies associated with HAKA TOURS. All Optional Activities are an additional cost to the tour price and by taking bookings for these tours, HAKA TOURS acts as each optional tour operator's agent. These tours include the services of operators other than HAKA TOURS e.g. hoteliers, airlines and optional tour excursions, which are not under the direct control of HAKA TOURS, and whilst HAKA TOURS takes all reasonable care in selecting these operators, it cannot accept responsibility for those operators' conduct or the conduct of their representative employees or agents or for any ramifications of that conduct. On tours including activities such as trekking, swimming and snorkelling, passengers accept that degrees of risk are involved. No passenger will be permitted to embark or continue on tour while their mental or physical condition is, in the opinion of any representative of HAKA TOURS, such as to render them incapable of caring for themselves, or whereby they become objectionable to other passengers, or they become a hazard to themselves or other passengers. HAKA TOURS will not be responsible for expenses resulting in such persons being precluded from completing the tour.

Amendment Fees
There will be no charge to request a change of tour departure after the original booking has been confirmed, as long as it is done more than two months prior to the original tour departure date. Any further changes or amendments within 6 weeks of the tour departure, will incur a $500 NZD amendment fee (except when change is due to HAKA TOURS cancelling a tour departure). If there is any change to the price of the tour that you change your booking too, since the time of your original reservation, the new tour price will apply to the new reservation.

Pre-Booked Activities
The activities' retail prices are set by other operators and may rise at any time, out of our control. Therefore at 30 days prior to tour departure HAKA TOURS reserves the right to charge customers any difference in price in order to match the most recent price at that time. We estimate that activity prices usually go up 2-5% per year. The price difference will appear on your account as "Activity Price Alignment". Furthermore, by pre-booking additional activities, you also confirm your acceptance of our "Optional Activities Booked On Tour" policy below which are also operated by a voucher process.

Any activity bookings made within 30 days of departure are subject to availability.

Optional Activities Booked On Tour
Activities booked on tour will be charged at the standard retail rate. We operate a voucher system with our activity partners which means we pay in full via a "voucher" for any optional activities instead of you paying the activity provider direct. The activities you select whilst on tour will be added to your "Activity Balance Sheet" with the full balance taken at the end of the tour or when your activity balance exceeds $500 NZD. By operating a voucher system with our activity suppliers, we are able to better manage tour logistics. Your activity balance can be paid via MasterCard, Visa or cash. Credit card payments have a 2% credit card processing fee. Haka Tours does not qualify for any group booking discount with our activity suppliers. By agreeing to these terms and conditions you agree to our activity voucher process whilst on tour.

Itineraries
Itineraries are subject to alteration without notice and intended as a guide only. Alterations may come about due to road or weather conditions, strikes, public holidays, local festivals and cultural or other reasons. Due to the nature of the terrain and remote areas, weather fluctuations can adversely affect road conditions that may necessitate alterations to itinerary with little or no notice. Any additional expense incurred by the passenger is not HAKA TOURS responsibility. HAKA TOURS can give no guarantee as to the exact arrival and departure times for carriers and operators used by HAKA TOURS in the tour and HAKA TOURS will not be liable for failure of any other services or attractions beyond its control.

Minimum and Maximum Numbers
As is normally the case with group tours, a minimum number of bookings are required in order for a tour to be financially viable and to have a pleasant group atmosphere. In the event that adequate numbers cannot be achieved, it may be necessary to cancel a scheduled departure and to offer the nearest possible alternative date (or a full refund of monies paid). The date on which the decision is made whether a tour will operate is usually four weeks before the scheduled departure date. In the event of a breakdown or other unforeseen circumstances, the operator reserves the right to substitute vehicles other than those specified to ensure the operation of a tour.

Haka Tours restricts guest numbers to a maximum of 16 per tour. Prior to making any travel arrangements such as flights, customers are required to receive confirmation from HAKA TOURS that there is adequate space on the chosen departure date, once any other booking requests are processed. In this case, confirmation is in the form of a ‘Welcome Letter’ sent via email by HAKA TOURS

Maximum numbers in shared dorms
Our included accommodation is dorm share (unless you are upgrading to a private room). While our maximum number of guests in a dorm is 6, on rare occasions up to 8 tour guests will share a dorm.

Smoking
Government regulations forbid smoking in tourist coaches. The vast majority of hostels also are non-smoking, with some having designated smoking areas outside.

Customer Feedback
If a problem occurs during your tour, then it is in your own best interests to advise your Tour Manager immediately so that steps can be taken to resolve the matter there and then. If you remain dissatisfied, any complaint must be made in writing to us within 30 days.

Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is your responsibility. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade strongly recommends you obtain travel insurance at the time you pay for your travel. Failure to obtain travel insurance is at your own risk. When obtaining travel insurance you must declare all pre-existing medical conditions and any adventurous activities, e.g. skiing, mountain biking, etc.

Accident Compensation Commission (ACC) If you are injured whilst in New Zealand, ACC may be able to help with the cost of the treatment and support you need whilst you're here. However, it is important to be aware that you cannot sue for personal injury - ACC replaces that right. Furthermore, ACC only covers treatment and rehabilitation costs whilst in New Zealand; it is not a replacement for travel insurance and does not cover illness, disrupted travel plans or emergency travel to get you back home.

Fitness and Medicals

Some activities are strenuous of nature. Passengers should be of reasonable health and fitness and carry all required medication. HAKA TOURS must be advised of any prior medical conditions at time of booking.

Lift Pass Refunds - Snow Tours
Please make sure you have suitable travel insurance when on one of our snow tours. Unfortunately, we pre-book our lift passes and these are unable to be refunded if you injure yourself on tour.

Private Group Tours
If we are under-taking a private group tour for you, there are some changes to our standard Terms and Conditions. A non-refundable deposit of 20% is required to confirm the booking and full payment is due 2 months prior to arrival. Cancellations within 2 months prior to arrival will incur a 100% cancellation fee. Amendments within 2 months prior to arrival will incur a $100 admin fee and any additional fees charged by and 3rd party suppliers. Please take in to account an additional $25 NZD bank fee if paying from an overseas bank account.