New Zealand 2013 Wanaka/Queenstown
Semantics 
Hey xdfubar, you didn’t answer this:
The big question which needs to be asked before you decide on your NZ itinerary and destinations, is are you a confident, experienced 4WD driver?
If you are, it opens up way more interesting possibilities for you.
It definitely makes a difference - as does your choice of rental vehicle.
Am going to hold on booking accom etc until numbers of the group get finalised. But am open to hotel etc suggestions for Mt Hutt/Ohau/Wanaka. Will only be staying for 1/2 nights at each place max.
Don’t bother staying in Christchurch - drive straight out to Methven for Mt Hutt (or Porters). Where you ride your first day is dependent on what time you fly in.
Midway between Christchurch and Queenstown, make sure to stay at Lake Ohau Lodge for a couple of nights.
I can drive a 4wd just fine, the cost factor is an issue as prices I’ve seen/been quoted are roughly $95/day for a 4wd or like $35 for a car. My missus deplores driving, so I’m going to be stuck with the honours.
Will be flying into Christchurch and landing approximately 11:25pm. Planning to stay in Christchurch the first night, as I really CBF driving at that hour. Will be hitting up Mt Hutt/Methven for 2 days. Then probably 2/3 days between Ohau and Wanaka.
What is the main attraction at Lake Ohau Lodge? Trying to convince the missus to stay there a night but I can’t find anything to entice her with. Websites/summaries/posts/blogs etc would be welcome.
Where you fly into doesn’t matter, just check the prices and find out what suits you. The cost of fuel from Chch and back will probably end up being similar to the extra cost of flights and rental anyway.
Not if there’s a group of you - in which case it’s usually much cheaper to drive from Christchurch.
Also avoid Ohau if you’re not a confident winter driver (and Remarkables for that matter, but you can get a bus up there) - The Ohau road is about 7km of one way switchbacks, and the field is hardly worth the effort for anything less than experienced riders.
Yes to the confident driving, but no to the “hardly worth the effort for anything less than experienced riders”. Recent developments have made Ohau great fun for all levels of rider.
Cardys is flat . . .
There’s nothing majorly steep, but it’s hardly “flat” at all. The Arcadia Chutes are plenty of fun for anyone wanting something a tad more challenging. Pretty much everything off Captain’s express is a hoot.
I can drive a 4wd just fine . . .
In snow, ice and mud on narrow, rutted tracks with no barriers separating you from huge drops - maintaining safe speed with your gears, NOT your brakes? Just making sure.
Will be flying into Christchurch and landing approximately 11:25pm. Planning to stay in Christchurch the first night, as I really CBF driving at that hour. Will be hitting up Mt Hutt/Methven for 2 days. Then probably 2/3 days between Ohau and Wanaka.
OK then. . .
- From Christchurch, go to Porters on your first day as it’s closest.
- Stay in Methven that night and head to Hutt the next day.
- Stay in Methven again, and head to Mt Dobson the next day on your way to Ohau (that’ll test your driving).
- Make sure to get to Lake Ohau Lodge by 6pm at the latest so you’re all set for dinner at 7pm. Ride the next day at Ohau with all the new friends you’ve made the night before. Stay at Lake Ohau Lodge again and relive the awesome day you’ve just had with even more new friends. If there’s fresh pow to be had, repeat ad infinitum.
- When you’ve had your fill, head to Wanaka.
- Perhaps do a short day at TC on your way through. Basically, if you’re driving from Ohau to Wanaka in the morning, you may as well consider TC to be on the Ohau side of Wanaka. (not geographically, but drive-wise)
What is the main attraction at Lake Ohau Lodge? Trying to convince the missus to stay there a night but I can’t find anything to entice her with. Websites/summaries/posts/blogs etc would be welcome.
Dude, it’s awesome!!! I may be a tad biased because Ohau’s owners (resort and lodge) are friends of mine - but they’re such nice people regardless! They have this great system where you’re allocated seating for breakfast and dinner (the food is really good) with different people every meal - and as it’s a reasonably small place, you get to know everyone. Ever been riding anywhere else where you know everyone on the hill? Basically, Ohau’s a really friendly place full of great people - oh, and if there’s fresh turns to be had (and you’re willing to earn them) it’s really hard to beat. Perhaps the best way I can describe Ohau is that’s it’s got a really awesome vibe. Oh, and it wins all kinds of hospitality awards.
Chucky, he’s not talking about a group of people, so yeah, the fuel cost for two people from CHCH and back is going to work out very similar - especially if they’re renting a 4x4 and not a 2wd.
Skip Dobson, it’s boring as anything - it consists of a super slow chairlift (15 minutes up for a 3-5 minute ride down if I remember) and t-bar (other than the learners area). Ohau is very similar, there is nothing special about the hill unless you get a powder day and are a slightly more advanced rider to take advantage of the terrain, which most people will hike for anyway - I have no idea what improvements would have made it better that you’re talking about, yes there is beginner and intermediate terrain, but why bother going there for their mediocre intermediate terrain when Cardys and TC are so close and much better. That being said however, the area is beautiful and has some nice scenery. I went to school in this area and have spent substantial time round all these hills - Hutt is only second to Dobson as the worst hill I have ever ridden. Ohau definitely doesn’t even make the top 5.
I’m not sure what you mean by “do a short day at TC on your way through, as it’s on the Ohau side of Wanaka”. TC is on the opposite side of Lake Wanaka than Ohau is if that’s what you’re getting at. And there’s no need to do a short day, it’s only a 30 minute drive from the Wanaka township.
Also, feel free to skip Mt Hutt, especially if you’re spending time at Cardys - The terrain options are similar. Unless of course your goal is to tick off as many fields as possible.
If you’re just planning on getting the best possible riding and want to spend less time driving everywhere, then stick to the main hills.
From what I can ascertain, xdfubar is after a ‘NZ experience’ type of thing - so it’s not necessarily all about the riding. (that right, xdfubar?)
That makes places like Dobson, and especially Ohau, must-do experiences - as it’s so different from Australia. The drive alone makes these places worthwhile. Peter Foote (owner/creator of Dobson) is a classic old bloke. How many owners of snow resorts elsewhere will invite you into their office (a beat up old snowed-in caravan) for a cuppa and a chat? Round Hill could also be on the list as an easy intro to nutcrackers - once again, something you can’t do in Australia.
I’ve ridden Ohau days after a fresh dump, and it still shits all over most other places in NZ - and the new lift will open up terrain that previously required a long hike.
For these guys, TC is probably best visited ‘between’ leaving Ohau and settling in at Wanaka, whereas Cardrona is best visited when driving between Wanaka and Queenstown (or when they’re actually staying in Wanaka - as they’d avoid crossing the Crown Range twice in a day, as they’d do if they were visiting Cardrona from Queenstown). It’d be a “short day” on snow if they were driving from Lake Ohau lodge. If these guys plan on doing one day in each of the ‘Wanaka resorts’ and driving from Christchurch - given their level of riding experience they may as well assume that TC is ‘between’ Ohau and Wanaka, whereas Cardrona is between Wanaka and Queenstown. As it’s approximately halfway in between Christchurch and Queenstown, Ohau’s the perfect place to spit up the initial long drive from Christchurch.
I’m comfortable driving a 4wd. But I’ve never driven in snow, ever. I think I’ll be ok driving in a bit of snow etc, but I’m definitely not going to take any risks etc. Not wanting to ruin a perfectly good trip and all, and if there’s roads with no barricades and a sheer drop face, then I’m going to say no.
Keep in mind that this will be me the missus’ 2nd snowboarding trip/experience ever. So we would like to experience as many places/fields as much as possible, as I’m also not sure when it would be possible for us to come back.
The missus can falling leaf heel side fine, she needs more practice toe side, and hopefully we can get her to link turns after the first few days this trip. I’m reluctant to leave her alone and do my own thing, so the first few days I’m just planning to practice switch riding as I want to try to do 180s and maybe some small park features. Not really looking for any steep terrain until we hit QT cuz we’ll be meeting up with some friends there.
Did someone mention once that there were hot springs at Ohau?
I’m comfortable driving a 4wd. But I’ve never driven in snow, ever. I think I’ll be ok driving in a bit of snow etc, but I’m definitely not going to take any risks etc. Not wanting to ruin a perfectly good trip and all, and if there’s roads with no barricades and a sheer drop face, then I’m going to say no.
Hmmmmmm, OK, this throws a spanner in the works. If I recall correctly, Coronet Peak is the only resort on the South Island with sealed roads and side barricades the majority of the way up. They all have sheer drops.
Keep in mind that this will be me the missus’ 2nd snowboarding trip/experience ever. So we would like to experience as many places/fields as much as possible, as I’m also not sure when it would be possible for us to come back.
The missus can falling leaf heel side fine, she needs more practice toe side, and hopefully we can get her to link turns after the first few days this trip. I’m reluctant to leave her alone and do my own thing, so the first few days I’m just planning to practice switch riding as I want to try to do 180s and maybe some small park features. Not really looking for any steep terrain until we hit QT cuz we’ll be meeting up with some friends there.
Forget about Porters than. Until the new infrastructure goes in, it’s all t-bars - so hit up Hutt on your first day.
And yet another couple of selling points for Ohau. It has great beginner park features for you - and there’s only one main chairlift, so you and your better half can both lap the same lift/runs at your own pace, catching up with each other regularly. This is a LOT easier to manage at snowfields that never have crowds (like Ohau). I did the same thing there a few years ago with my boy when he was learning, and it worked a treat.
Let people you meet at the lodge the night before where you’re at ability-wise, and you’re likely to end up with new riding buddies of equal abilities for the next day.
Did someone mention once that there were hot springs at Ohau?
Tekapo - the complex has hot springs, ice skating and a small (but fun) tube ride.
TC is no more inbetween Ohau and Wanaka than Cardys is. Both hills are more between Queenstown and Wanaka. Cardys is the same distance from Wanaka as TC, and both hills are the same distance to Ohau - I can only imagine you have mixed up TC’s location or are referring to something different than the actual location of the hill? First you said a short day at TC, now you’re saying a short day drive from Ohau. I am most definitely confused.
xdfubar - Dobson, TC, Ohau, Remarkables and Mt hutt all have unpaved roads with cliffs on the side and limited barriers that that are questionable in added safety. Hutt probably has the best road of them all. As long as the weather has been good for the past 3 days or so, then all the roads will be fine and you shouldn’t have any problems.
It sounds like while you would like to see a few different hills, the level of your group would be better suited to some of the more advanced-beginner friendly hills to start with. Hutt is a great place to start, and Roundhill is not a bad option on the drive south. Tekapo is nice little town and the area is beautiful (Check this out).
Keep TC until the end of the trip if possible, as it has the most consistent steep terrain and the terrain progression is not very nice. It basically goes from a bunny slope to a very long intermediate slope.
TC is no more inbetween Ohau and Wanaka than Cardys is. Both hills are more between Queenstown and Wanaka. Cardys is the same distance from Wanaka as TC, and both hills are the same distance to Ohau - I can only imagine you have mixed up TC’s location or are referring to something different than the actual location of the hill? First you said a short day at TC, now you’re saying a short day drive from Ohau. I am most definitely confused.
For clarification:
TC is ‘between’ Ohau and Wanaka, whereas Cardrona is between Wanaka and Queenstown.
Obviously I’m well aware TC isn’t literally BETWEEN them. See how I wrote “’between’” in reference to TC, but only “between” in reference to Cardrona? Well, that’s because when you drive from Wanaka to Queenstown, you pass directly by the entrance to Cardrona, NOT Treble Cone. So (as a beginner) if you wanted to check out TC for the first time, the preferred option is to incorporate it into the drive from Ohau to Wanaka. For what TC offers beginners, it’s a good option for a “short day” riding when travel time between lodging destinations is taken into consideration. If you can’t comprehend that on a day when you’re already driving from Wanaka to Queenstown it’s preferable to spend that day at Cardrona - then yes, evidently you are “most definitely confused”.
Keep TC until the end of the trip if possible. . .
As TC is around a one-and-a-half hour drive from Queenstown, that just doesn’t make sense. It’s a MUCH better idea to visit TC when they’re either already staying in Wanaka, or travelling to Wanaka from Ohau or Christchurch.
Keep in mind that this will be me the missus’ 2nd snowboarding trip/experience ever. So we would like to experience as many places/fields as much as possible, as I’m also not sure when it would be possible for us to come back.
You’re taking the right approach. That way, when you’re more experienced riders and you eventually make it back to NZ, you’ll have a better idea where you want to spend the majority of your time.
TC is ‘between’ Ohau and Wanaka, whereas Cardrona is between Wanaka and Queenstown.
Obviously I’m well aware TC isn’t literally BETWEEN them. See how I wrote “’between’” in reference to TC, but only “between” in reference to Cardrona? Well, that’s because when you drive from Wanaka to Queenstown, you pass directly by the entrance to Cardrona, NOT Treble Cone. So (as a beginner) if you wanted to check out TC for the first time, the preferred option is to incorporate it into the drive from Ohau to Wanaka. For what TC offers beginners, it’s a good option for a “short day” riding when travel time between lodging destinations is taken into consideration. If you can’t comprehend that on a day when you’re already driving from Wanaka to Queenstown it’s preferable to spend that day at Cardrona - then yes, evidently you are “most definitely confused”.
“between” doesn’t clarify anything in regards to it’s location, especially if you’re trying to advise someone who’s never been there before. If that was truly what you meant then it is misleading and there are many more simple ways to word that. The rest of what you’ve said doesn’t support that theory either - as you stated they should spend a short day at TC “on [the] way through” when they head to wanaka.
- When you’ve had your fill, head to Wanaka.
- Perhaps do a short day at TC on your way through, as it’s on the Ohau side of Wanaka.
“Side” does not even come close to matching “between” or implying what you are suggesting.
Keep TC until the end of the trip if possible. . .
As TC is around a one-and-a-half hour drive from Queenstown, that just doesn’t make sense. It’s a MUCH better idea to visit TC when they’re either already staying in Wanaka, or travelling to Wanaka from Ohau.
You’re picking at points that were never intended. TC’s terrain is better suited to intermediate and advanced riders, therefore because he said his missus is having trouble linking turns and is more comfortable floating leaf, then TC would not be an appropriate place until later on - after, as he said he would, he has helped teach her a bit more. Hence why I said, “if possible”, keep it until the end. But chill, it’s a suggestion, I’m sure he’s old enough and capable to make up his own mind on when and if they go there.