Ski New Zealand: 8 Day Snow Safari (Queenstown to Christchurch)

8 days
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Small Group Tour
Whether you’re new to the snow or an experienced snow hound, this exhilarating week from Queenstown to Christchurch on the slopes of the Southern Alps’ most iconic snow fields at Mt Hutt, Ohau, Treble Cone, The Remarkables, Cardrona and Coronet Peak delivers. We’ve got everything organised: your transport and transfers to the mountains, your accommodation, li...
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

    • Experience New Zealand's finest snow fields at Mt Hutt, Ohau, Treble Cone, The Remarkables, Cardrona and Coronet Peak.
    • This trip offers thrills for beginners and experts alike - just strap on your skis and let our expert crew point you in the right direction.
    • Enjoy the benefit of local knowledge as our experienced crew show you the best runs and powder stashes across six different mountains.
    • Spend a night under a carpet of stars in the world's largest International Dark Sky Reserve.
    • Rest your legs and enjoy New Zealand away from the snow at the adventure playgrounds of Wanaka and Queenstown.
    • Everything is arranged for you, from transport to hiring snow equipment and clothes – all you have to do is choose your favourite slopes and hit the snow.

What's this trip about?

    Whether you’re new to the snow or an experienced snow hound, this exhilarating week from Queenstown to Christchurch on the slopes of the Southern Alps’ most iconic snow fields at Mt Hutt, Ohau, Treble Cone, The Remarkables, Cardrona and Coronet Peak delivers. We’ve got everything organised: your transport and transfers to the mountains, your accommodation, lift passes, breakfast, and an expert local crew ready to show you the best runs and powder stashes across the six different mountains. We can also arrange your ski gear and clothing if you want to pack light. Add time away from the slopes to discover the South Island's best ski towns like Wanaka and Queenstown, and a stay in the world's largest International Dark Sky Reserve and you’ve got the perfect trip.   IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Accommodation on this trip is in mixed-gender multi-share dormitory style hostels with shared facilities. We are aware of a system functionality limitation incorrectly indicating

Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 16 people
Age range18 years and up
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityQueenstown
End CityChristchurch

Travel Themes

  • Cycling & Biking
  • Hiking & Walking
  • Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing

Destinations

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 16

Trip includes

    • Day lift pass - The Remarkables
    • Day lift pass - Coronet Peak
    • Day lift pass - Cardrona
    • Day lift pass - Treble Cone
    • Day lift pass - Ohau
    • Day lift pass - Mt Hutt

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Day 1 Queenstown

Kia ora and welcome to Queenstown, the ‘adventure capital of the world’ and gateway to New Zealand’s awe-inspiring Southern Alps. Meet up with your local leader and fellow travellers at 6pm this evening to find out about what lies ahead on your epic snow journey. The rest of the evening is yours to enjoy.

Day 2 Queenstown & The Remarkables Skiing

Start the day early at 6am, pick up your hire gear then transport to one of New Zealand’s finest ski fields. Picture wide open trails, powder snow, spectacular views, sun-drenched terrain and unforgettable runs and you’ve got The Remarkables. Set in a vast natural amp...

Day 3 Queenstown & Coronet Peak Skiing

Coronet Peak is the oldest and most developed ski area in the South Island, with an astounding variety of runs and on-field facilities that are some of the finest in the region. Everything is designed to ensure you make the most of skiing and boarding, whatever your l...

Day 4 Queenstown

After three days on the slopes, it’s time to rest your legs and experience everything Queenstown has to offer. From a relaxing cruise on Lake Whakatipu, Lord of the Rings tour, or winery visit at nearby Gibbston, to a leisurely bike ride along the (mostly flat) Queens...

Day 5 Queenstown to Wanaka & Cardrona Skiing

Leave Queenstown behind and drive north towards Wanaka, but not without stopping for a full day at Cardrona Alpine Resort, renowned among skiers and boarders for inspiring terrain and dry natural snow. Blessed with ‘New Zealand’s most reliable snow’, it's one of the t...

Day 6 Wanaka & Treble Cone Skiing

Start the day early with a short drive to Treble Cone in the heart of the Southern Alps, home to the highest lift-accessed terrain, longest groomed intermediate runs, and highest vertical drop on the South Island. This is also the South Island’s largest ski area with ...

Day 7 Wanaka to Lake Tekapo & Ohau Skiing

Start the day with an early morning drive (approximately 2hrs) to nearby Ohau, a remote ski field that can be found midway between Christchurch and Queenstown. While the drive is stunning as you take in views of the aquamarine Lake Pukaki and beautiful Mackenzie Basin...

Day 8 Lake Tekapo to Christchurch & Mount Hutt Skiing

Enjoy a hearty breakfast and one final early morning start with a drive (approximately 2.5hrs) across the Canterbury Plains to the incomparable Mount Hutt Ski Area, Voted New Zealand's Best Ski Resort six years in a row. Located high in the Southern Alps, Mt Hutt rece...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,120
Price per day$265
Last Updated: 10/11/2024

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel

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The Intrepid Travel Experience

If you’re looking for adventure, you’ve come to the right place. For the past 25 years, we’ve been taking small groups of travelers on unforgettable trips around the world. What makes them unforgettable? Take a look for yourself and discover the Intrepid experience.

Our travelers have three styles of tour to choose from: Basix, Original and Comfort. Each has a different level of inclusions and accommodation, but all have unforgettable real life experiences as part of the package. Travellers can also choose themed trips, such as Family, Sailing or Food, to suit their interests.

Our group size has an average of just ten travellers, which allows us to get off the beaten track, use local accommodation and transport, and really get to know the culture. It also ensures we are contributing to the local economy; by choosing local suppliers we were able to keep AUD 60 million in local economies in 2012. We’re also working hard to reduce our carbon footprint and were the first in our sector to introduce carbon offset trips. This, along with our many corporate sustainability activities, has meant we’re one of the travel industry’s leaders in responsible travel.

Why Intrepid?

  •   Small groups - average of 10 people per trip
  •   Sustainability - pioneers for the industry
  •   Local leaders - authentic perspectives
  •   Local transport - get close and personal
  •   Local accommodation - experience real living
  •   Intrepid travelers - like-minded companions 

History

Intrepid Travel has come a long way since its beginnings in 1989. From two university friends, a typewriter and a kitchen desk, it is now a proud member of The Intrepid Group, taking over 100,000 travelers every year.

Intrepid Travel is part of The Intrepid Group of companies, alongside leading small group adventure companies Peregrine, Urban Adventures and PEAK DMC.

Despite growing into a global business with over 1,000 staff based all over the world and over 800 different trips across every continent, we’ve remained devoted to the same grassroots values and responsible travel philosophies that we had at the very beginning.

 

Values

On every trip we operate and in every interaction we have with a client, supplier or local, we live our core values everyday:

  • Integrity – Doing the right thing
  • Responsible – Think global, act local
  • Growth – Stakeholders in our own success
  • Innovation – Thriving on new ideas and embracing change
  • Fun – It’s engrained into who we are and what we do
  • Passion – We are inspired by the work we do and the trips we offer

 

Why we love this operator
They're highly committed to sustainable tourism and contribute to crucial initiatives like climate action, focusing on local cultures and more.
What they’re known for
Small group tours for all types of travelers at a range of different price points and trips to off-the-beaten-path destinations.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Hostel dorm share accommodation,shared facilities (7 nights)

Transportation & Flights

Private vehicle,

Transportation & flights

Private vehicle
Guides
Our ski trips in New Zealand are accompanied by one of our guides (group leader) who will also be the driver. All our guides are passionate snow enthusiasts and are there to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced leader however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders. As well as ensuring you have the best ‘on snow’ experience ever, your leader will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips for those travelling internationally. We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. If you are travelling within your home country or region please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. We strongly recommend all travellers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your group leader or local representative. If you have credit card insurance your group leader or local representative will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and your credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country. For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or USA the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside of their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form at the Group Meeting, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise. For assistance with travel insurance or other services, please visit the link below: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/booking-resources/our-services Australians travelling to New Zealand are eligible for publicly funded health care whilst in New Zealand. This medical care generally covers emergency treatment and is free. Please note that Intrepid travellers still require comprehensive travel insurance to cover against emergency repatriation, personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. This trip includes skiing and/or snowboarding activities as part of the itinerary, potentially 'off-piste as well as on groomed surfaces. Please ensure that you travel insurance specifically covers these activities.
Visa requirements
PASSPORT You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity, so remember to check the expiry date. We need your passport information to get everything ready for your trip so it’s important that the information on your booking matches your passport exactly. Please take care to provide the correct details. We recommend carrying a copy of the photo page of your passport while travelling and leaving a copy at home with family or friends. VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Many countries require a visa and obtaining the correct visa for your trip and any countries you may transit through is your responsibility. We recommend you check your visa requirements as soon as you have booked your trip. This will ensure you have time to prepare your documents and for your visa application to be processed. You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our page here:  www.intrepidtravel.com/visa-entry-requirements Some passport holders are required to request a NZeTA ((New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) prior to travelling to New Zealand. It's important that you check the requirements prior to travel. For the most up to date information on this and all visa requirements, we recommend you contact the New Zealand embassy in your country or visit http://www.immigration.govt.nz
Health & Safety
Most national governments provide regularly updated foreign travel advice on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all destinations and activities on your trip. Please refer to our website's safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trips here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/travel-alerts We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, flight tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of our hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. Your group leader or local representative will accompany you on all included activities, however, during your trip you'll have some free time to pursue your own interests or relax and take it easy. While your group leader or local representative will assist you with the available options in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your Intrepid itinerary, and Intrepid makes no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your group leader or local representative has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it's deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Intrepid's operational safety policies can be viewed on our website at the link below. We recommend that you take a moment to read through this information before travelling, and would appreciate any feedback on how safety is being managed on our trips. https://www.intrepidtravel.com/safety-guidelines While we endeavour to minimise as much risk as reasonably foreseeable snow activities including Skiing and Snowboarding carry an inherent risk, especially when going backcountry or ‘off-piste’, or using equipment you may be unfamiliar with, such as ‘nutcrackers’ and tow ropes. Please ensure you are comfortable with these risks before booking, and take out adequate insurance to cover ‘adventures activities’ if your insurer requires it.
Age Requirements
18 years and up
Additional Information

Finish point

  • Urbanz Christchurch
  • 273 Manchester Street
  • Christchurch
  • NEW ZEALAND
  • Phone: +64 3 366 4414
Trip ID
intrepid-PHXSQC

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