Mid Canterbury was Made for Winter
Mt Hutt Skifield
No trip to Mid Canterbury is complete in winter until you've experienced Mt Hutt Skifield. Grab your skis or snowboard and hit the slopes at Mt Hutt - voted New Zealand’s best ski resort 10 years running at the World Ski Awards.
You don't need to ski or snowboard to enjoy Mt Hutt. They have toboggans and appropriate clothing available for hire as well as sightseeing trips on the Summit Six chairlift, taking you to the top of Mt Hutt for some of the best views in Canterbury. Or, discover the yooner - the new snow sensation in town. A yooner is a lightweight and fun combination between sledding and skiing that really gets your heart pumping. You carve down the mountain just like you would on traditional skis, but you do so sitting down on a comfortable seat 20 cm from the ground with your feet in front of you. Feeling adventurous? Rent a yooner or book a lesson package with one of Mt Hutt's top-notch instructors. Thrills and a good time are guaranteed!
The Details 2026
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Ōpuke Thermal Pools & Spa
Feel stress float away as you immerse yourself in spectacular landscape, nestled at the foothills of the Southern Alps. Soak and unwind at the beautiful Ōpuke Thermal Pools & Spa. Explore the interconnected pools and star lit caves. The totally immersive surroundings make it easy to melt your cares away in the tranquil escape pools or relax at the swim up bar, which offers exclusive pool side canape and beverage service.
The Ōpuke Spa offers deluxe pampering and their very own signature treatments like the Rasul Steam Room, or Indulgence Dry Float Experience.
DISCOVERY POOLS
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STAVELEY ICE SKATING
Visit one of the last remaining outdoor ice skating spots in the country at the small settlement of Staveley. This is a great way to experience skating the old fashioned way.
The Staveley Hall Society has run the Staveley Ice rink in a volunteer capacity for the last 30 Years. The Staveley ice skating rink itself has been open since 1951, this ice rink was one of the few natural ice skating locations left in New Zealand. Due to increasingly warm winters the thickness of ice needed for a natural rink is becoming harder to achieve. By installing a refrigerated concrete pad, we believe we can guarantee at least three months opening per annum and future proof this community asset for decades to come.
Enjoy skating with the wind in your hair and then enjoy a hot drink and toasted marshmallows by the fire.
TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE FOR 2026
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EXPLORE FROM ABOVE
Exploring Mid Canterbury from above in winter offers a unique perspective, showcasing the region's dramatic landscapes under a different light. Helicopters, Cessnas or hot air balloons provide breathtaking aerial views, revealing the snow-covered Southern Alps, braided rivers, and patchwork farmlands in a way that's impossible from the ground. The crisp winter air and clear skies enhance the beauty of the scenery, making for a magical and unforgettable experience.
Adventure Balloons
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Dirt Bandits
Get dirty this winter and experience adventure and thrills with DIRT Bandits. An off-road and exhilarating high-spec UTV experience set beneath New Zealand’s picturesque Southern Alps.
This adrenaline pumping activity is even better in winter when it’s wet and muddy!
DIRT Bandits is New Zealand's premier UTV Motorsport Experience. Utilising their purpose built UTV Circuit on the banks of the Rakaia River, a DIRT Bandits experience is raw, dirty and adrenalin fuelled.
Their drivers have extensive experience behind the wheel of the Bandit and although they love adrenalin, they survive the drive so safety is at the forefront of a DIRT Bandits experience.
From rookies to motorsport enthusiasts, a DIRT Bandits experience is New Zealand's ultimate
off-road rush.
The Dirt
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