Ohau

Also known as: Ohau Snow Fields, Lake Ohau

Lake Ohau views

Difficulty 3 (Intermediate)Day fieldSingle sunny basin, natural bowls/ridgelines, off-piste
Vertical drop
400 m
Top elevation
1,825 m
Lifts
3
Runs
~10-12 zones
Stunning snowy mountains under a bright blue sky in Gimmerburn, New Zealand.

Can the whole group come?

Who in your group gets a good week at Ohau - the terrain split, the ski school, and what the people not skiing do.

Beginner 20%Intermediate 50%Advanced 30%
Terrain split

~Beg 20 / Int 50 / Adv 30

Group split options

Dedicated beginner carpet/platter area at base; regroup at lodge

If you are not skiing

Lake Ohau Lodge (stay/dine), sightseeing, tubing/snowplay

Childcare

- (not documented)

Ski school & rental

Lessons + full rental

Accessibility & group fit

Cruisy intermediate bowls; family-capable base

Snow & season

Med - natural snow, no snowmaking; good high-country base

Open window

Typically mid/late Jun to early Oct

Best season

Jul-Sep

Peak vs quiet

Peak Jul-Aug + school holidays; shoulder Jun & Sep-Oct quieter

Snow & surface

Natural bowls + ridgelines

Weather risks

Wind; access road closures

The mountain

Skiable area

~125 ha (est)

Runs & pistes

~10-12 zones (broad open terrain)

Off-piste & backcountry

Genuine advanced off-piste in adjacent bowls

Crowds

Quiet, uncrowded

Getting there & lift pass

Adult day ~NZ$135

Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.

Getting there

Christchurch ~4 h or Queenstown/Dunedin ~3 h; 9.6 km unsealed alpine road, chains/4WD advised

Transfer & shuttle

Self-drive; access road off SH8

On-mountain dining

Cafe at base building

Facilities

Lake Ohau Lodge

Operators

Twizel hub

Patrol & safety

Ski patrol & avalanche

Patrolled; alpine avalanche terrain adjacent

Hazards

Unsealed access road

Emergency & rescue

Twizel Medical Centre; Timaru Hospital (~1.5 h)

This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand ski resort report. Coordinates are approximate.

Also in New Zealand

Ski Ohau with your crew
Manta plans the resort, the lessons and the non-skiing days so a mixed-ability group all get a great week.
Plan a ski trip