Ōhau Snow Fields

It is a 20 minute drive from Lake Ōhau Lodge to the Snow Fields. Most people drive themselves, sometimes hiring chains from the Lodge at the bottom of the road if they don't have a 4WD or chains are required that day.  There is also a bus that leaves every morning from the Lodge at 9.15am and only returns at the end of the day.  From the 9.6km access road, the views up the valley to Aoraki Mount Cook and overlooking Lake Ōhau are spectacular with snatched glimpses of the snow field now and again before opening up to the full panorama on arrival at the car park. 

From the car park it is a quick walk to the ticket office and Day Lodge and once you're all set to go a gentle slide down to the start of the chair lift or platter slope.  For beginners the snow mat is right there. Arranging a lesson is a good idea to start off with and there is plenty of good rental gear. 

The mountain caters for all abilities. The double chair lift and the wide flat slopes at the top of the mountain enables most intermediates to cruise down the Boulevard very comfortably. There is some great hiking around the tops for the more adventurous accessing the best powder snow and the views from there are really magnificent and definitely worth the effort.

At the end of a great day in the mountains, there is nothing better than knowing you're only 20 minutes from a hot spa with a gluhwein in your hand or a cold beer in the bar.  Back to friendly staff, no thinking about what you're going to cook that night and a very reasonably priced holiday.  You will leave relaxed and revived! 

Download the Ohau Snow Fields Trail Map