Ride New Zealand's best heli-ski terrain on our hosted 5 night tour to Methven
The big mountains of the The Arrowsmith, Ragged, and Palmer Ranges have incredible advanced-level terrain and are a serious place with rapidly changing weather and snow conditions. These ranges are located at the headwaters of the Rakaia and Rangitata Rivers and catch snow from every winter storm to deliver New Zealand’s most consistent heli-ski conditions. The terrain here demands the best and most experienced heli-ski guides in the business. We will fly with small groups where the focus is on safety, and great kiwi service. While Methven Heliski has terrain to get your heart racing, there is also terrain to suit strong intermediate to advanced skiers and snowboarders. From powder bowls and open faces to steep chutes and technical lines.
Our first day on-snow is a warm-up day riding the nearby resort, Mt Hutt. The resort is home to some of the most challenging terrain of all the commercial resorts, so it’s a great place to warm up for the following heli days.
Our base for this tour is Methven, located around one hour from Christchurch Airport, and is the perfect staging area to explore New Zealand’s best heli-ski terrain. Our centrally located lodge includes private single share rooms with breakfast and dinners daily, an in-house bar and is situated right across from the new Opuke Thermal Hot Springs.
2024 Dates
23 JUL - 28 JUL
6 AUG - 11 AUG
27 AUG - 1 SEP
Guest to Guide Ratio
5 guests : 1 guide
Price
AUD $6,670 per person
Tour Type
Heliski - Advanced
Why Travel With Mint
In a rapidly changing travel industry it’s important to know that your travel provider is accredited, accountable and responsible. We are a registered member of AFTA and IATA and conduct business in accordance with the ATAS Charter and Code of Conduct. When you travel with Mint you can have peace of mind that you are booking with a qualified and established travel operator with over 20 years of expertise. And as a full-service travel agent, we are able to take care of your flights, insurance, stopovers and pre or post tour arrangements.
Methven Heli Tour
Get in touch for a detailed tour itinerary and more info
ABOUT METHVEN
Only an hour drive across the Canterbury Plains from Christchurch and sitting at the base of the Southern Alps is the township of Methven. A typical kiwi farming town that transforms into a bustling ski village during the winter centred around the famous Blue and Brown Pubs. The tour isn't complete without catching local Methven live band 'Little Big Men' fronted by Methven royalty (and Mint guide) Richie Owen playing til the wee hours.
SNOW & CONDITIONS
This tour runs during peak heliski season as conditions are at their optimum. The vast terrain spans numerous mountain ranges which are affected differently by prevailing snow and weather conditions. It is these variations that allow us to ski or snowboard many aspects ensuring powder snow each day.
THE TERRAIN
Your heli-ski guides have an in depth knowledge of the local area and will be able to find any type of terrain to suit your ability. From sheltered powder-filled basins, bowls and wide rolling mountain flanks through to steeps and chutes. Runs vary between 2000 to 4000 vertical feet of treeless terrain.
COMFY ACCOMMODATION
You'll stay in a private single room at a local ski lodge and have everything you need for a comfortable stay. Great communal bar area, comfy Single Share room with ensuite, great heating, TV, and free WiFi. Every morning you’ve got a light breakfast included and each evening a gourmet 2 course dinner at the lodge is included featuring local Kiwi fare.
PRE-TOUR SUPPORT
After you sign up for a tour, you will receive pre-trip emails with specific information about your tour, the arrival and departure day process, information about the destination, packing suggestions, and other relevant information to help you prepare for your trip. In addition to this, you have access to our customer care team who are just a phone-call away. And as a full-service travel agent, we are able to take care of your insurance, stopovers and pre or post tour arrangements.
SMALL GROUPS
We offer one of the smallest client to guide ratio’s in the industry which ultimately leads to a better experience for everyone. Our small groups allow greater manoeuvrability and ease of access to the best areas a destination can offer. On our heli-ski days, our guest to guide ratio is maximum of 5 people per guide. This also makes for a more personal experience between our guests and guides.
ESSENTIAL INFO
YOUR TOUR INCLUDES
- 3 Heli-ski / snowboard days (guaranteed 5 runs per day)
- 3 days of professional heliski guide services
- Use of safety equipment on heliski days
- 3 days return transfers to heli staging area on heliski days
- 1 day riding at Mt Hutt, includes transport to mountain (first day on-snow)
- 1 day lift ticket Mt Hutt
- 5 nights accommodation in private single room with ensuite
- 5 x breakfasts at our lodge
- 5 x 2 course dinners at our lodge
- 3 lunches on heliski days
- Scheduled airport transfers on arrival and departure day, Christchurch Airport
- Hosting & guiding by Mint Tours
The Methven Heli Tour is 5 nights. If this isn’t enough, then book one of our multi-tour combo’s.
TOUR DATES
WEEK 1 23 July – 28 July, 2024
WEEK 2 06 August – 11 August, 2024
WEEK 3 27 August – 01 September, 2024
PRO-TIP – GO PRIVATE!
Book this tour as a private departure – with your own guide and all the benefits of a Mint group tour – for any group, big or small (even just one traveller). Get in touch to discuss.
WHY TRAVEL WITH MINT?
In a rapidly changing travel industry it’s important to know that your travel provider is accredited, accountable and responsible. Mint is a registered member of AFTA and IATA and conducts business in accordance with the ATAS Charter and Code of Conduct. When you travel with Mint you can have peace of mind that you are booking with a qualified and established travel operator with over 20 years of expertise. And as a full-service travel agent, we can take care of your flights, insurance, stopovers and pre-or post tour arrangements.
WHAT IS A HELI TOUR?
Our Methven Heli Tour is a Freeride Tour, which offers you the best chance to heli-ski for 3 days over a 4 day weather window. If guests ride the allocated 3 days consecutively, you have the option to book another heliski day if available. Of course weather and conditions are impossible to predict so guests must be prepared to ride anything from knee deep powder through to spring corn.
WHAT HAPPENS ON ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE DAY?
Once you’ve signed up for the tour we will send you through a comprehensive guide with details about the tour including the arrival and departure day process, a map of where we meet, recommended arrival and departure times, flight options, Visa requirements and transportation information.
WHAT IF I’M TRAVELLING SOLO?
About 99% of our guests are travelling solo, so you’ll be in good company. Our groups generally mix well due to a shared interest in snow sports and an eagerness to explore all that New Zealand has to offer. All guests get their own private room during the tour.
IS THIS TOUR RIGHT FOR ME?
This tour is best suited to advanced skiers and snowboarders who are comfortable skiing and snowboarding in backcountry terrain. You can can link turns in powder snow, can make a variety of turn shapes and can traverse, hold speed and is adventurous when skiing and snowboarding the entire mountain including side-hits and jumps. If you’re not sure, give us a call. Weather and ski conditions are impossible to predict so guests must be prepared to ride or ski anything.
WHICH MOUNTAINS WILL WE VISIT?
We leave this up to our head guide, but depending on weather, snow pack and ability levels, expect to ski and snowboard at either the Arrowsmiths, Ragged Range or Palmer Ranges of the main divide.
CAN I ARRIVE EARLY OR STAY ON AFTER THE TOUR?
For most tours you can arrive earlier or stay later. We can tailor the trip to suit your travel plans. Speak with one of our tour specialists when you are booking and they will be more than happy to assist.
WHO ARE THE GUIDES?
All of our tours are guided by friendly, knowledgeable and expertly trained guides who are passionate about the mountains. Most of our guides work for us season after season.
ARE FLIGHTS INCLUDED?
No, flights are not included. If you need assistance booking flights, we can book you the best flight options for the tour.
DO I NEED TRAVEL INSURANCE?
Yes. All guests on tour need to be covered be comprehensive travel insurance. Once you have booked on the tour, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance. We offer all of our tour guests discounted snow specific travel insurance.
WHAT HAPPENS ONCE I’VE BOOKED?
Once you’ve booked your spot on tour, we will send you through a booking confirmation and provide updates about the tour including the arrival and departure day process, a map of where we meet, recommended arrival and departure times, flight options, Visa requirements and transportation information. We will send out a Pre Departure Guide 30 days prior to departure. Prior to the tour commencing we will invite you to a group chat which is managed by your tour manager and guides.
HOW CAN I CHECK MY ABILITY LEVEL?
The best way to check if a tour is suited to your ability is by speaking with one of our tour specialists. They will be able to determine if the tour you have selected is a good fit for your ability, as well as suggesting other tour options.
HOW DO I GET TO METHVEN?
We’ll provide you with a guide with details on how to get to Christchurch and where to meet your hosts. If it’s your fist time to New Zealand or if you’re unsure about travel arrangements, often we can link you up with other tour guests to travel with.
HOW DO I CHECK AVAILABILITY?
Speak with one of our tour specialists. As this is a small group tour with limited availability, it’s best to get in touch early to avoid disappointment.
DO YOU TAKE SKIERS & SNOWBOARDERS?
We are ski and snowboard friendly. Please note that the majority of our tours are led by snowboard guides.
ARE LIFT TICKETS INCLUDED?
A 1 day Mt Hutt lift tickets is included.
CAN I RENT EQUIPMENT?
We recommend bringing your own equipment for the tour.
WHAT EQUIPMENT SHOULD I BRING?
Skiing and snowboarding in the New Zealand backcountry is like nothing else. Expect all kinds of weather and snow with temperatures typically ranging from 2 to -10 degrees celcuis. We recommend that guests have a good quality waterproof jacket and pants, lightweight insulated layer, merino base layers, merino gloves and waterproof gloves, goggles with low light & high light lenses, sunglasses, balaclava, beanie, and helmet. We recommend that all guests bring their own ski or snowboarding equipment for the tour (board, boots, bindings & outerwear).
WHO WILL BE ON MY TOUR?
Your group will be made up of travellers from diverse backgrounds and will be varied in age. Our groups generally mix well due to a shared interest in snow sports and an eagerness to explore all that New Zealand has to offer.
PRICE
AUD $6,670 per person
(private single room)
RESERVATION AND DEPOSIT
To secure your spot on tour, a 50% deposit is payable. The balance is due 60 days prior to tour departure.
If you would like some more information or a quote for the tour you can contact us by:
1. ONLINE
Enquire below and one of our New Zealand Tour Specialists will be in touch with further details.
2. OVER THE PHONE
Call us and follow the prompts to speak to one of our New Zealand Tour specialists.
Within Australia (03) 5296 0314
3. EMAIL
Drop us an email and one of our New Zealand Tour Specialists will be in touch with a with a quote, availability and further details about the tour.