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Ohau

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Elevations:

Top:
 1925 meters
 6316 feet
Base:
 1525 meters
 5004 feet
Vertical:
 400 meters
 1312 feet
Average Annual Snow Fall:
 250 cm
 100 inches

Number of Lifts:

3 lifts:
  3 surface lift(s)

Contact details:

Ph: 64 3 4389885
Fax: 64 3 4389885
Email: Click here
Website: Click here

 

Resort Rundown

Ohau is a commercial field situated in the Barrier Range of Mackenzie country. It is home to one of the most spectacular views of any Title in New Zealand. The view looking down the field, across Lake Ohau to the Ben Ohau Range is truly amazing. It is almost worth driving up Ohau just to check out this view. The deep blue of the lake and picture perfect reflection of the mountains is mind blowing. Ohau is also home to the longest T-bar in New Zealand - it is 1033 m long.

Ohau has recently opened up a Heli Operation with Southern Lakes Glacier Heli. They offer two runs for $120 which is a very affordable way to heli-boarding for the first time. All bookings are taken on the day on the field.

Ohau have a two for one deal on Fridays where you get two lift passes for the price of one. But the catch is you need to get the vouchers either from the Mobil Service Station in Omarama or the Shell Service Station in Twizel.

There is a day lodge at Ohau with a sun deck which offers panoramic views of Lake Ohau. In the day lodge there is a cafeteria that serves delicious, wholesome food.

Ohau has a guarantee program so if the snow and weather conditions do not meet your expectations and you return your ticket within 30 minutes of purchasing it you can receive a full refund.

Terrain

Ohau Trail Map

Freeriding:

Ohau is effectively one wide-open bowl. The majority of the lifted terrain is beginner to intermediate terrain. To really get the best freeriding at Ohau you have to take some short hikes or instead jump in the heli.

Hiking at Ohau provides access to some pretty gnarly chutes and some good steep terrain. But for the hiking terrain to really work there has be at least a 1.5 to 2 metre base. Anything less than this and the terrain is just too dangerous. This is because Ohau is a very rocky field and a lot of snow is needed to cover all the rocks. But when there is sufficient snow at Ohau the freeriding is insane.

The best place to start hiking from is the top of the T-Bar. From here, hike up to the ridge line. Hiking out to skier's left will take you through a series of rocky outcrops. You need to keep hiking until you come to some chutes that basically funnel out to the Ohau access road. These chutes are only really doable when there is a lot of snow. Hiking out to skier's right of the T-Bar will provide access to some open powder runs as well as some small rock drops. There is also a windlip out here. Alternatively keep hiking along the ridge to skier's right and drop into the backside of Ohau. This area is known as Hemis Bowl and funnels down to the Ohau access road. As you go down you will notice there are some pretty gnarly chutes on both sides that you can do when the snow is good. The chutes are not only narrow but they also have some pretty sizable rock drops in them.

Powder Turns: If you want good powder turns then you really need to go hiking. Hiking anywhere along the ridge will provide access to numerous good powder runs.

Early Morning: Some high speed runs down the Boulevard Run is pretty fun in the early morning.

Bad Weather: Your best option is chill at the Lake Ohau Lodge and play some table tennis or pool or perhaps even have a spa.

Beginners: Head straight for the Learner's Tow. This is a great place to learn. Ohau also has qualified instructors and affordable lessons.

Avoiding Crowds: Don't even worry about this as there won't be any.

Freestyle:

There are no man-made freestyle facilities at Ohau. Ohau is more of a freerider's mountain than a freestyler's. If you want some freestyle action you are going to have to build your own jump. The area to skier's right of the Ridge Run has some small rollers to build jumps on. But you are really better off going hiking than building jumps at Ohau.

Current Snow and Weather Conditions at Ohau

http://www.snow.co.nz/area/Facilities.asp?SkiArea=Ohau

Accommodation

All accommodation is at the Lake Ohau Lodge which has to be one of the most comfortable lodges in New Zealand. It is located on the shore of Lake Ohau and has views of the Glen Mary Glacier, Mt Cook and the Ben Ohau Range. It includes a restaurant, a bar, 2 spa pools, laundry, drying room and a games room with table tennis.

There are over 150 beds which are of varying price and quality. Beds start at NZD$16 a night and a basically backpacker style rooms with shared toilets and showers. For NZD$48 you can get dinner, bed and breakfast. Luxury rooms go up to NZD$100 and include ensuite bathrooms.

Nightlife

Unlike other small commercial and club fields the bar at the Lake Ohau Lodge is often busy, especially on weekends. As it is the only bar in the area this is not surprising. It has a relaxing atmosphere and is a great place to hang out.

Snowboard Shops

There are no snowboard shops but there is rental shop which boosts about 40 Burton Snowboards. Your best bet is to check out the snowboard shops in Wanaka.

Getting There

The road to Ohau is off State Highway 8 between Twizel and Omarama. To get there from Christchurch, drive down State Highway 1 and take the turn-off at Rangitata to Geraldine. Follow State Highway 79 to Fairlie and then State Highway 8 to Twizel. The turn-off to Ohau is just after Twizel and is well sign posted. The trip from Christchurch takes about four hours. The access road from Lake Ohau Lodge up to the lifts is unsealed and steep so be prepared with chains. If you don't want to drive there is a shuttle bus that operates from Lake Ohau Lodge.

The best way to organise a snowboard  trip to New Zealand is use a reputable travel agent who knows the mountains in NZ.  We use and recommend travel.com.au for all your snowboard travel needs.  They offer an efficient, knowledgeable service with super competitive prices.  Contact them by email on board@travel.com.au or by phone on  1 800 556.

Thanks

Thanks to Mike and Louise for making our stay a memorable one.

Last updated on 18 January 2038.

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Ohau

Date	Name	Comments
04 Apr 2007	KYLIE PETRAS	Attention anyone who knows NZ... I just booked a ticket to Christchurch for end of May. Never been before and am doing a solo mission. I'm female, been riding for nearly 10 years. I'm looking for lotsa freeriding, big lines, (not too keen on park anymore). Was initially heading straight to Wanaka, but I'm thinking maybe Ohau or Craigieburn. I'm a bar tender with no intention of instructing but keen on getting involved with patrol. Anyone have any info/feedback for me?? I'd really appreciate it!! I'm Aussie, spent the last 5 years in Whistler, BC PEACE, LOVE AND SNOWBOARDING! KJP
07 Jun 2005	Luke Nicholas	Ohau has taken out the main t bar and installed a double chairlift

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