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Mt Hutt Resort Reviews

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Visitor reviews for Mt Hutt Ski Resort

Mt Hutt Ratings

Overall: 3.7. Based on 29 votes and 17 reviews. Vote

Snowsure: 4.0

(1) Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing, (2) is often closed due to a lack of snow, (3) occasionally suffers from a lack of snow, (4) rarely suffers from a lack of snow, (5) Mt Hutt is snowsure even in the poorest seasons.

Variety of pistes: 3.9

(1) The ski runs are featureless and unvaried, (3) the ski runs are varied but not extensive enough for a week, (5) Mt Hutt has diverse and interesting pistes including forests and high alpine terrain.

Off-piste: 3.9

(1) No off-piste worth mentioning, (2) off piste is out-of-bounds, (3) some varied offpiste that stays fresh for one or two days, (5) a vast array of off-piste routes that can stay untracked for several days.

Scenery: 4.6

(1) An ugly resort in a bland setting, (3) average mountain views and resort, (5) a spectacular setting and a beautiful / historic resort town.

Access: 4.2

(1) At least one overnight stop, (2) requires a whole day, (3) requires more than half a day – you may have time for a few turns (4) arrive by lunchtime and ski all afternoon, (5) there is a main airport within an hour of Mt Hutt.

Public Transport: 3.6

(1) There are no buses or taxis to Mt Hutt, (3) there are slow or infrequent buses / trains available, (5) getting to the resort is easy with frequent bus / train connections.

Accommodation: 3.8

(1) No places to stay in/near Mt Hutt, (3) a few places to stay in the resort, (5) a wide variety of accommodation suitable to suit all budgets.

Cheap Rooms: 3.7

(1) No budget accommodation available, (3) just one or two hostels so book ahead, (5) several cheap hostels and pensions available.

Luxury Hotels: 3.4

(1) No luxury accommodation available, (3) just one or two luxury hotels so book ahead, (5) several up-market hotels in Mt Hutt.

Ski in/Ski out: 2.8

(1) The ski area is located far from any accommodation, (3) a free ski bus takes you to the ski area in a short trip, (5) Ski-in ski-out accommodation is available.

Childcare: 4.1

(1) There are no child care facilities at Mt Hutt, (5) the resort has excellent child-care facilities including at least one reasonably priced creche.

Snowmaking: 4.5

(1) Mt Hutt relies entirely on natural snow, (3) there are just a few snow cannons, (5) there are snowmaking facilities on all pistes.

Snow Grooming: 4.7

(1) There are no snow groomers at Mt Hutt, (3) occasionally some pistes are left ungroomed and in a poor state, (5) all the runs at Mt Hutt are groomed daily.

Shelter: 3.0

(1) there is nowhere to ski when it is windy or visibility is bad and lifts often shut, (3) there are some trees for poor visibility but main lifts sometimes close, (5) Mt Hutt is mostly in forest where you can ski in flat-light and windy days, lifts rarely close.

Nearby options: 3.2

(1) If snow conditions are poor at Mt Hutt, it will be poor everywhere nearby, (3) there are good alternatives within an hours drive, (5) other locations on the same lift pass provide a rich variety of snowsure ski conditions.

Regional rating: 4.4

(1) Mt Hutt usually has poor snow conditions compared to other resorts in region, (3) has average conditions for the region, (5) usually has the best snow conditions in the region.

Lift Staff: 4.5

(1) The staff at Mt Hutt are rude or unhelpful, (5) lift staff at Mt Hutt are pleasant, cheerful and eager to help.

Crowds/Queues: 3.2

(1) the resort is always busy and there are usually long lift queues, (3) it is quiet apart from occasional weekends and school holidays, (5) it is uncrowded and lift queues are very rare.

Ski Schools: 4.4

(1) No ski schools available, (2) one or two ski schools but local language only, (3) a few ski schools but book early for multi-lingual instructors, (4) plenty of ski schools and multi-lingual instructors available, (5) excellent ski schools with friendly multi-lingual ski instructors.

Hire and Repairs: 4.3

(1) Nothing can be sourced, not even ski-wax or ptex. (3) there are some ski shops but rentals need to be booked in advance, (5) good quality ski equipment can be purchased or hired and overnight repairs are possible.

Beginners: 4.1

(1) Beginners can only watch others ski and snowboard, (3) a few gentle slopes but beginners will get bored in less than a week, (3) Vast areas of gentle terrain.

Intermediates: 4.4

(1) No intermediate terrain at Mt Hutt, (3) intermediate skiers will get bored after a few days, (5) vast areas of cruising runs.

Advanced: 4.2

(1) Nothing for advanced skiers and snowboarders, (3) enough steep terrain for a few days with some good offpiste, (5) Enough steep terrain and offpiste areas to entertain advanced skiers for at least a week.

Snow Park: 3.9

(1) Not even a kicker at Mt Hutt, (3) average sized park quite well looked after, (5) huge park area and expertly crafted pipes, jumps and boardercross trails.

Cross-country: 2.6

(1) There is nowhere to go for cross-country skiing around Mt Hutt, (3) there are some cross country trails available, (5) the area features many spectacular and well maintained cross-country trails.

Luge/Toboggan: 2.1

(1) No designated luge or toboggan runs, (3) there are toboggan runs that open quite often, (5) Mt Hutt has long and well maintained luge / toboggan facilities suitable for all ages.

Mountain Dining: 3.4

(1) Nowhere to buy food by the pistes, (3) some places to eat up on the mountain but they are often busy and expensive, (5) there is a variety of excellent mountain eateries right next to the slopes to suit all budgets.

Eating: 3.6

(1) Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. (5) A wide variety of places to eat and drink in the resort, from fast food to fancy restaurants.

Apres-Ski: 3.2

(1) Nothing to do, not even a bar, (3) there are a few bars in the resort but nothing special, (5) clubs and bars stay open until very late and have a friendly atmosphere.

Other Sports: 2.5

(1) No sports facilities at all apart from ski lifts, (3) resort has just a small public swimming pool, (5) resort has all kinds of sports facilities, including a full-size swimming pool.

Entertainment: 2.8

(1) Besides the snow and walking there is nothing to do here, (3) the non-skier will find things to do for few days but may become bored after a week, (5) the resort area is a fascinating place to visit, regardless of winter sports.

Winter Walks: 2.7

(1) Very limited walking and no snowshoe trails, (3) a couple of designated scenic walking/snowshoe trails, (5) extensive and diverse winter walking trails for all abilities.

Ski Pass Value: 3.6

(1) A 1 week ski pass is overpriced compared to the number of lifts available, (3) the ski pass is averagely priced and covers a reasonable number of lifts, (5) ski passes are excellent value for money and cover a lot of lifts spanning a big area.

Value (National): 3.8

(1) Overall, Mt Hutt is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the country and not worth the money, (3) overall represents average value for money, (5) overall offers the best value resort in the country.

Value (Global): 3.7

(1) Overall, Mt Hutt is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the world, (3) overall it offers pretty average value for money compared to resorts from other countries, (5) internationally the resort offers excellent value for money.

Show all 35 ratings

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May 29, 2019
Butch Stern from Ski New Zealand New Zealand
I have been skiing Mt Hutt for the past 25 years. It has a mixed terrain that provides consistent challenges and enjoyment. The food and hospitality are good, the road is a challenge. Methven is a great town. If you are looking for tree skiing, it is not there and the weather can come in strong. Being there is time well spent. Methven is a great community. Enjoy it, I do.
August 21, 2018
Sheree from Ski New Zealand New Zealand
I think Mt Hutt is overrated. We went to buy a day pass, 1 of the most expensive in NZ, and we were told the 6 chair was being worked on and may not be fixed. I would expect that would be discounted as you are limited to only half the mountain. Then the 4 chair broke down and from 1.30 pm you basically couldn’t ski. Rarely do you get a whole day skiing in for $104 a day. If the lifts aren’t working due to maintenance problems you shouldn’t have to pay full price. We probably won’t be back. There are many better ski fields in NZ.
August 05, 2013
Jon B from Ski Australia Australia
I have skied a lot of huge resorts in USA, Canada and France which have dozens of lifts and over 100Km of trails. But Mt Hutt gives me as much fun as anywhere. It does get winds periodically, and it does rack up an average of around 20 days closed per season. A 3 day trip can occasionally be disastrous, but if you do a full week you will have more than enough awesome skiing and maybe a "rest day" or two.
June 21, 2012
Big AL ( Gold Coast ) from Ski Australia Australia
I have been skiing Hutt for the last 11 years and have dragged a few mates across the ditch. Everyone of them have been back more than once. It is far more cost friendly than skiing in OZ, has a longer season with better snow. Some club fields are close by and offer a whole new range of skiing / boarding. The one down side is you do have to drive up the Mt. Looking to my next trip (20 more sleeps)
August 03, 2011
David Dewitt from Ski Australia Australia
Well, we came, we saw (50cm snow) we conquered? Mount Hutt seemed like it would be great with 2 metres of snow, but alas a lot more rocks this time. It has come a long way since I was there 20 years ago, but the old Hutt needs a lot of snow, and it would be unreal! The staff were great, and it is well organised. When it was shut, we liked the 'Blue Pub' & the 'Brown Pub" in Methven, did 9 holes on the local Golf course and did a Heli-Ski. Yes, we got in touch with Heli Park and they took us to the Southern Alps for a first time, one day adventure, thanks Tracy and the gang. Something surreal about having a chopper drop you off on top of a strange noise free mountain and hitting fresh knee deep powder....wow, we had to pinch ourselves each run. So this made up for everything! Best food was the beef burger from the canteen at Mt Hutt, it was awesome! try one!! C U next time!
July 01, 2011
David Dewitt from Ski Australia Australia
Well, this is a preview, as we (8 of us from Gold Coast OZ) are heading for Mt Hutt 24 July 2011. Got a great deal, cheapest ever 7 nights ski package, so here we come. Now I haven't been to Mt Hutt since 1991 as a beginner, so looking forward to it now that I can really board. We are definitely doing a heli-ski which should be awesome. Chow.
August 30, 2010
Alex S from Ski Afghanistan Afghanistan
I have skied Mount Hutt 40+ days in all types of conditions. The snow is always presented at its best, the staff are great and there are some excellent off-piste powder runs on the right day. Providing the mountain is not closed, due to the all too frequent high winds & bad visibility (Mount Hutt is sometimes coined, Mt Shutt) it can be a very enjoyable mountain to ski/ride. The groomed slopes are always maintained to perfection and there is some excellent terrain but of limited variety. The mountain itself lacks a little character but the views are amazing in any direction you look from the summit. Definitely worth a day or two, perhaps even a week or two if the snow is really on and you don't mind the 20-30min ascent. Keep in mind the assent can be slightly hair raising for the uninitiated, as unprotected 300ft + drops exist to one side (two cars have gone off the edge this season, resulting in one fatality). The crowds are minimal mid-week but it can be a little busy on the groomed slopes on weekends, especially if the snow is good. Same for the lift queues. Enjoy.
August 24, 2009
Angela, UK. Aug 2009 from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
I've only ever skied in Austria so the runs available at Mount Hutt seemed limited but ok for a day. The drive up in the ski bus was scary to say the least - that alone would put me off coming again. The pistes were well groomed but one that opened later in the day was very icy. I don't think it got any sun at all. I felt like a beginner again. There was a lively band playing which gave a slight apres-ski feel but arriving back in Methven, it was very quiet. Not exactly St Anton. Sorry about the negative comments but two people were killed off-piste while we were in NZ - if the area to ski was more extensive, maybe people wouldn't feel this need? What a blast to ski in August though.
May 07, 2009
Rossini from Ski Australia Australia
Mount Hutt will not appeal to all, but will supply a satisfying days skiing/riding to most. The best part of this mountain is its lack of pretension and the relaxed rural atmosphere. On snow it offers great off-piste (lots of special spots if you know where to go) and the chance of true steep and deep. On-piste the grooming is good to very good on runs where what you see is what you get, the terrain parks are well looked after. Being a small field by Noth American/European or even Australian standards it still offers pretty good good facilities. The cafes whilst not 5 star are comfortable and reasonable for a ski field. The ski school and rental people are friendly and capable. The crew, who keep the mountain and access road safe, should have their blood bottled. The Mount Hutt experience is just that. Not just a snow sports destination but a great place to enjoy a different pace and life for a while. Ripping up some wind blown or corn snow or real powder is definitely on the cards but...one sometimes has to be philosophical down Mount Hutt way.
September 01, 2008
Andrew A from Ski New Zealand New Zealand
To call Mt Hutt 'sheltered from most winds' is a plain lie. Rossini and Bdalza's reviews are more consistent with what I (pass holder for 8 years) have experienced at Mt Hutt. On a powder day it can be great and the snow is always as well presented as conditions allow. The field does struggle with prevailing weather, especially wind, snow and low-vis which close the road regularly. Lift icing has been a BIG problem this year, so check which lifts are actually operating on 'open' days. New 6-lift can make the experience a bit one-dimensional as everyone goes up and down the same way, if the triple is not open. [Comment by editor: the content of this review that was directed to an individual has now been removed]

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