Craigieburn Haute Route

Day packs! Hot showers!  All meals provided!  Transport provided!  Lift access at start of day!  This is our classic trip, with people returning to ski it again. Four days/three nights of Craigieburn classic touring.

Haute Route trips fill fast. For those who miss out or have not toured before,  The Craigieburn range Mini Mission 3 days/2 nights are a great option. Just as fun and you get to choose the venue.

About the Craigieburn Haute Route

Chamonix has the big famous tour with telepheriques, gondolas and lodges. Broken River has a funicular railway designed by an engineer club member! The Craigieburns serve up a great tour.  Assisted by a professional mountain guide from Anna Keeling Guiding, the tour starts at Craigieburn ski area and travels via some fabulous basins to Mt Olympus. You’ll see the entire range and link basins between ski areas.  There are some outstanding ski runs which we will hit depending on conditions and desire - Allan’s Basin, Yukon bowl, Mt Wall, Tarn Basin, Waterfall basin, and some secret stashes.

Information

No need to carry a heavy overnight pack -  each Ski Club has lodge accommodation that includes dinner, bed and breakfast.  Hot showers after touring. Espresso at some ski areas. Pick up provided from your hotel in Christchurch. Lift access each morning to the tops. Experience the unique culture of Canterbury’s club fields while touring between them.

The Craigieburn Haute Route is proving to be our signature trip. Numbers are limited.  Don’t miss out.

“We’re stoked to be offering the Craigieburn Haute Route, not only will the terrain offer some superb skiing, each of the club fields and mountain lodges are unique. This is a great way to get a taste of the atmosphere of club skiing and mountain environment” says Chill’s owner Stu Waddel.

Day 1: Spend a day skiing Craigieburn Valley ski area, getting used to conditions, familiarizing yourself with your equipment and learning to ride the rope tows.  Travel across to Broken River, Allan’s Basin links the two ski areas to provide a large backcountry ski playground. Stay at Broken River.

Day 2: Use Broken River lifts to begin the tour to Cheeseman ski field.  Depending on conditions it is possible to ski west face corn or southeast facing powder from Mt Wall.  Stay at Cheeseman’s high Snowline lodge.

Day 3: Ride Cheeseman lifts back to the ridge and ski classic Tarn Basin, cross Mt Cheese(person) to Mt Olympus and the Mt Olympus ski area.  Stay at the Top Lodge of Mt Olympus and enjoy New Zealand’s highest hot tub.

Day 4: Use lifts to tour to Mt Olympus back country. 

This tour can also be reversed and may be preferable in this direction, depending on snow conditions.

"If you've ever looked up at the Craigieburn Range and wondered what it would be like to explore them - the Haute Route is the perfect opportunity. Great powder, huge runs and stunning vistas are just the start.

Anna's substantial experience and technical ability is one thing; but her effortless ability to create a team from an unlikely collection of big personalities is reassuring and impressive. Coupled with Stu's natural tendency to 'keep an eye out' for everyone creates a dynamic where friendships are kindled.

For me, the most significant aspect of the adventure is the on-going growth in those friendships." - Hop.
 

Cancellation Policy:

-­ Full refund less 15% deposit (admin fee) if you cancel more than 46 days prior to start. Deposit is due to confirm booking.  Full payment required 46 days prior to departure.

-­ If you cancel 45 days or less prior to the trip start there is no refund.  No refunds or reschedules will be provided in the event of injury, illness (including Covid-19), equipment failure, lack of fitness, or ability.

-­ If the trip is postponed due to weather conditions on day one, a refund less 15%.

- For this reason, we strongly suggest you take out a travel insurance policy for cancellation/loss of deposit