10 Top Things to Do in Mt Hutt

Mt Hutt is a famous mountain in the Southern Alps mountain range. It has an amazing ski park that’s visited by people from all over. In this article, we’ll discover the top things to do in Mt Hutt whether you want to ski or enjoy some other activities.

Luckily Mt Hutt is more than just a ski paradise. In fact, we’ll show you how many amazing activities are available in and around the mountain. Whether you are looking for serene nature or an adrenaline-filled adventure we’ve got something for you.

So if you are traveling to Mt Hutt during winter or doing it during the summer months you’ll still find plenty of entertainment to have a memorable vacation. Let’s jump into our list of the best things to do in Mt Hutt.

1. Ski & Snowboard

Skiing and Snowboarding are two of the most common activities that travelers do in Mt Hutt. The ski park on the mountain is expansive and features multiple trails.

Mt Hutt is particularly great for beginners and intermediate skiers. It’s a great place to learn skiing as you can always find a trail that’s one set up from where your current skill level is.

Those who are more experienced can have their own share of fun as well with longer and harder ski trails available. Travelers that love getting some air will be pleased to learn that Mt Hutt has 4 different ski park areas where you can really let your skills shine.

2. The Picturesque Mt Hutt Peak

You don’t need to ski in order to enjoy Mt Hutt. Don’t listen to us, listen to them. They understand that people also come here for sightseeing and you can purchase a sightseeing pass for the chairlift and ski park.

Head up all the way to the peak of Mt Hutt with the chairlift to enjoy the best views. You’ll be tempted to take as many pictures as you can. These sightseeing passes can be purchased from Guest Services and the last chairlift is at 3 PM.

Keep in mind that the sightseeing option is always dependent on the current weather conditions. If it is deemed unsafe you won’t be able to make it to the peak.

3. Toboggan and Snow Play Area

Those who are too small to ski or not interested in skiing can try the dedicated Snow Play area of Mt Hutt. It’s a family-centered attraction that will keep kids busy with a variety of things to do.

There is also a small toboggan track here where even the small ones can get a feel for going downhill on a snowy mountain. Toboggans are available to rent or you can bring your own.

4. Mt Hutt Bike Park

The Mt Hutt Bike Park is a haven for Mountain Bike enthusiasts. You’ll find a total of 40+ kilometers of biking trails. They range from family-friendly rides to full-on technical descents so everyone can find their own level.

The most exciting trails are also dotted with sharp turns and even some jumps. Luckily all jumps have a ‘go-around’ option for those who think they can handle the trail but don’t like getting extra air time.

This bike park is totally free to use and there’s a big parking lot. We’ve even seen bike washing stations near the entrance so you can clean your bike before you leave. What an amazing place! It’s hard to believe this is all free of charge.

5. Awa Awa Reserve

Love hiking in a scenic environment? Then you’ll enjoy the Awa Awa Nature Reserve. The nature reserve itself is relatively small with a great variety of plant life. However, this reserve is a great spot to start some amazing hiking adventures.

For example, you can do the Scott’s Saddle Track. It’s an advanced hiking trail that will take 2 hours one way and it will take you quite high up onto Mt Hutt.

Or maybe after climbing up on Scott’s Saddle Track, you can use the Pudding Hill Stream Route for coming down. This route follows along the Pudding Hill Stream in a beautiful environment. Warning: the Pudding Hill Stream Route is an expert-level hiking trail. It is a difficult path that takes around 3 hours one way.

6. Ōpuke Thermal Pools and Spa

Are you ready to relax and unwind near Mt Hutt? The Ōpuke Thermal Pools and Spa is the perfect place for this.

You’ll find multiple outdoor thermal pools with excellent views of Mt Hutt. There’s also a great hot tub where you can relax and enjoy the scenery. Hot tubs do require individual booking though.

Those who want the ultimate relaxing experience can take advantage of the excellent SPA facilities as well.

7. DIRT BANDITS UTV Experiences

Those who love an adrenaline-fueled off-road experience should visit Dirt Bandits. They’ve got a local dirt track where they push their Can Am Maverick X3 UTVs to the absolute limit.

The whole experience is provided by professional drivers where safety is above everything else. You can be a passenger on these rides. They have quite a few packages ranging from a simple joy ride to a full hot lap where you can experience the full power of the UTVs from the passenger’s seat.

This experience is a sure way to get a kick of adrenaline into your system. It’s also worth noting that they are a local business so when you book an experience with them you are giving back to the community.

8. Rakaia Gorge Walkway

The Rakaia Gorge Walkway is a wonderful hiking area with picturesque bridges and epic vistas. Enjoy unspoiled nature at the feet of Mt Hutt, just a short drive from Methven.

This is a rather easy trail but if you want to do the full loop it will keep you occupied for a while. It takes approximately 4 hours to complete a full hike with options for a shorter loop coming in at around 1 hour.

Even if you go for the short loop you’ll get to experience the beautiful nature that this trail has and you still get to reach the lookout which is the perfect photo spot.

9. Benlea – Sheep & Cattle Farm Tours

Do you want to get a glimpse into the rural lifestyle of New Zealand? The Benlea Sheep Farm is perfect for this.

You and your group will get private access to a real-life farm. Here, your knowledgeable guides will tell you all about what it takes to run a farm and keep everything in order.

Travelers who love animals will also have an opportunity to get up close and personal with flocks of sheep and cattle.

This is a unique opportunity and one that we can highly recommend to anyone who is into Agritourism.

10. Christchurch Day Trip

Whenever you are visiting Mt Hutt you also have the wonderful town of Christchurch nearby. It’s definitely worth visiting for at least a day trip to get a taste of this vibrant city.

You can start your day by sightseeing downtown with some amazing museums and art galleries to visit. Then head over to the Riverside Market to enjoy some lighthearted shopping. Afterward, you can take a boat tour of Avon River and finish off at the local botanical gardens which are just beautiful.

You must know that Christchurch is more than just sightseeing. The city has a buzzing food and drink culture with countless options available. We highly recommend grabbing a bite or two in town to get a taste of the local cuisine.

Eating and Staying in Mt Hutt

As it is tradition we’ve got some extra tips for you if you care to stick around. Here we’ll give you our favorite restaurants and hotels in the Mt Hutt area. We’ve already told you the top things to do in Mt Hutt so it’s time to explore some other aspects of your visit.

Restaurants in Mt Hutt

• The Green Parrot Bar & Grill
  • Methven has some amazing restaurants and The Green Parrot Bar & Grill is one of the best among them. It’s a nice place with both indoor and outdoor seating. The menu is expansive with amazing grill items and a selection of sushi available. Definitely one of the best places to eat in Methven.
• Stronechrubie Country Restaurant & Chalets
  • One of the hidden gems in the Mt Hutt area. Stronechrubie Country Restaurant & Chalets has the perfect atmosphere for a couple’s night out. They have a simple menu but what’s on the menu is excellent.
• Aqua Japanese Restaurant
  • Once again a restaurant in Methven. Those travelers who are longing for some good Japanese should visit Aqua as it’s one of the best around town. A simple setting but excellent food and the option to take away.
• Opuke Kai Restaurant
  • We’ve contemplated putting this one on the list as you’ll see it anyway if you ski a lot. The Opuke Kai Restaurant is the one on top of Mt Hutt. It’s the go-to place for skiers who want a break and some hot food in their bellies. This is a very simple mountain refuge-style restaurant but the food is actually good and they are well-equipped.

Hotels in Mt Hutt

Abisko Lodge & Apartments

The Abisko Lodge & Apartments is one of the most versatile accommodations in Mt Hutt. Located in Methven it’s super close to the main ski area and it has some of the cheapest rooms in town.

At the time of writing a rental cabin costs around $50 (US Dollars) which is great. You won’t get your own bathroom though for this price but the communal amenities are nice. This is the cheapest private room in town.

There are bigger rooms as well, many with a private bathroom so if you want something bigger that’s an option too. It’s a really simple accommodation but there’s a nice charm to the place.

Cedar Chalets

Cedar Chalets is great for those who want to have their own private space during their holiday. Staying here is like having your own tiny weekend house in New Zealand. The small chalets are well equipped with a porch and kitchen as well.

This is one of the best options for families as you can find chalets with multiple bedrooms. This way the whole family will stay in their own private lodging that’s not shared with anyone else.

Couples will also appreciate the isolation from other travelers. It’s nice to have your own private space and we love that each chalet comes with a well-equipped kitchen.

Things to do in Mt Hutt – FAQ