Mt Hutt 2018 best season ever, plus new developmentsfor 2019announced

The stats are in, and New Zealand’s best ski resort since 2015 – Mt Hutt in Canterbury – closed the 2018 season with the best visitor numbers since the mountain opened in 1973!

The surge of visitors has been attributed to service and operations rather than snow, with the leanest snowfall in 20 years.

Mt Hutt Ski Area Manager James McKenzie says sharp season pass pricing, upgraded snowmaking and fun new alternatives to skiing such as the highest hot tub in the country, sightseeing and Yooners [ski with a seat] have all attracted record guest numbers and added to the “kiwi-as” vibe at the mountain.

“The results are quite an achievement given the lack of natural snow this season,” he says.

“With just 170cm of snow falling from the time we opened through to closing weekend the 2018 winter season turned out to be the second leanest in 20 years, yet the numbers don’t reflect that.

“Junevisitation wasup 60% and July to Octobernumberswere up30%- partly buoyed by great weekend weather,” says James.

“Significant investment in snowmaking last summer wasuncannilytimelyand amazingly effective.Followingour pump station upgrade were able to double our output which meant all lifts were running from opening day to the end of the seasonfor the first time ever.”

James says the shorter wait times for coffees, food and shuttles were also appreciated by guests.

“We were able to shiftguests from the lower car parksup to the ski areafar more efficientlythis season so wait times were very rarely more than 10-15 minutes.

“It was also very pleasing toreceiveso muchpositive feedbackabout our revamped cafes and restaurantsthat can accommodateextrastaffand service lines thereby reducing wait time for food and hot drinks.

This year Mt Hutt reintroduced scenic rides, a hit with guests, says James.

“Scenic rides on our Summit 6 chairlift went down a treat withboth skiing andnon-skiingguests alike. Literally anyone can now rock up to Hutt and have a go on the snow.

“Our Snowpalooza event and Yooner skis (a ski with a seat) drew plenty of Cantabrians to the snow as well.

“To sum it all up we’ve had an absolutely stellar season. Yet, despitethe increased business levels,theski areanever reachedcapacity. We’re a big mountain!”

Off the backof this “incrediblysuccessful season”, Mt Hutt is announcing big plans for 2019.

The ski field is toextend the trail network and increase the snowmakingsystemfor 2019.

James explains the new developments:

“We will be building anewfamily fun trail down from the top of the Quad chair. Thiswindingbeginner/intermediatetrail will accesswhat is currentlyunder-utilised terrainandoffer a mixof fun snow features including rollers, banked turns and a tunnel. It will alsobe serviced by anew,fully-automatedline ofsnowmakingguns.

“We also plan to add a newadvancedtrailout leftof the reservoir and movethe start of“Race Hill”uptothe start of the Mid Towers traverse toextendthe length of steepgroomed terrain on that side of the basin.

“We are also excited tobewelcomingastate-of-the-artsnow groomerinto our fleet next winterwithTier 5 engine technologyandreal-timesnow-depthmonitoring software.

“Tier 5 engineshavebeendeveloped in Europe to meettheirmore stringent emissions regulationsand whilstthere is a premium toinclude this in the spec, we see it as an importantstep towardsreducingourimpact ontheuniquealpine environmentin which we operate,” says James.

Pricing remains an attractive proposition, says James.

“We’re not only fiercely loved by Cantabrians for our laid back Southern hospitality, but the pricing remains attractive. With kids 10 and under free, and an Earlybird price freeze of $349 until 31stJan for a season pass, Mt Hutt pass is hugely popular. Its winter entertainment sorted!”

Mt Hutt Season passes are now on sale, with adultseason passpricesfrozen at $349 until 31stJan, which can be paid in 6easyinstalments.

Kids 10 and under can still ski for freeand the studentseasonpass has been reduced by $50 to just $299.

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