Ōhau Snow Fields
Mackenzie, CanterburySee it on the map
About Ōhau Snow Fields
Ōhau looks out over Lake Ōhau in the Mackenzie country, and it is one of the quietest fields in the South Island — a single chairlift, a lot of terrain and rarely more than a handful of people on it.
The lodge by the lake at the bottom of the road is the base, and staying there is much of the experience.
Last reviewed 14 September 2026
Best suited to
- Off-piste and freeride
- Intermediates
- Beginners
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Where lessons start
Quiet enough that a beginner is never in anyone's way, with genuinely good off-piste above for anyone ready to look at it.
Resort areas
- Base Area
Suggested meeting points
- Ōhau day lodge
Getting there
Twizel is around 40 minutes, Christchurch about three and a half hours.
Qualifications required in New Zealand
New Zealand has no state teaching licence. The professional standard is the Instructor certification, and Alpine Pal shows what each instructor actually holds so you can judge it for yourself.
Find instructors in New ZealandŌhau Snow Fields: common questions
Where do I stay to ski Ōhau?
At the lodge by Lake Ōhau, at the bottom of the access road — it is the base, and staying there is much of the experience. Twizel is around 40 minutes and Christchurch about three and a half hours. The field has a single chairlift and rarely more than a handful of people on it, so a beginner is never in anyone's way, and there is good off-piste above for anyone ready to look at it.
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