The Best Backcountry Skiing Routes in Otago
Explore Backcountry Skiing RoutesTop 33 backcountry skiing routes in Otago
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1
Soho Basin
Soho Basin began as a heliski location on the backside of Cardronna Resort. This land has now been sold to a cat skiing operation, where they provide mechanically assisted off-piste, complete with BBQ and beers....
2
The Meadows
The meadows is the name given to the area about the Chutes, Its possible to just play around in here and not enter the Chutes. If you head skiers left toward the boundary fence then you can enter back onto the piste....
3
Point 2090
If you are hanging out in the Queenstown area and looking at the topo maps long enough you will spot Lake Hope. Being quite aways from the Remarkables ski resort it is easy to turn this into a multiple day trip....
4
The Doolans
The Doolans sit just over the backside of The Remarkables and play host to some awesome skiing, just a short bootpack and return skin from the chairlifts.
This area represents an entire face, where you’re welcome to choose any line down, as long as conditions are suitable....
5
Doolan and Wye Creek
The Queenstown area offers a lot of different ski tours and the Wye Creek Basin is possibly the easiest way to get into the backcountry. Leaving from the Remarkables ski resort this is a wide open basin big enough to spread out and ride numerous different aspects....
6
Gun Barrel
Gun Barrel begins just as you start the Saddle Track. Drop into the left and you will see a very obvious half pipe. It's great fun for ripping turns and playing around....
7
Ridge / Hidden Valley Hike
This hike starts from where the Saddle Track meets Pete's Treat. There is a gate to the left which leads up a ridgeline. Up here is access to Hidden Valley and the top part of Sun Dance....
8
Treble Cone Backcountry
Out of all the ski resorts within the Southern Alps of New Zealand it seems that Treble Cone is the most well known. Being that it is based out of the Otago area and just outside of the town of Wanaka this area sees a lot of traffic....
9
Homestead Peak
Tucked away in the Aspiring National Park, Homestead Peak sees less visitors than many of its neighbouring peaks, but that doesn’t mean to say that this still isn’t a classic ski touring peak, accessible in a (BIG) day from Raspberry Flats carpark....
10
Mount Clarke
Mount Clark is a stunning peak within the Otago area that with a bit of an approach you are rewarded to some of the better views in New Zealand. Like most places you need to expect to get your feet wet as it does contain some relatively easy water crossings....
11
Colin Todd Hut and the Iso Glacier
The Matukituki Valley is one of many amazing places in New Zealand which sees people throughout the year. While the high time is during the summer there is still an active climbing scene with the high point of the area being Mount Aspiring in which the National Park is names after....
12
Mount Barff
If you want to head into the Matukituki valley for a ski tour but aren’t interested in Mount Aspiring than Mount Barff is a perfect alternative. While the approach to the summit can be a bit challenging it isn’t nearly as technical as the other well known peak in the area....
13
Elevator
The Remarkables plays host to some fantastic chutes that are found nestled on the ridge on the southern side of the Shadow Basin Chairlift, looking out directly towards the north face of Double Cone....
14
Escalator
The Remarkables plays host to some fantastic chutes that are found nestled on the ridge on the southern side of the Shadow Basin Chairlift, looking out directly towards the north face of Double Cone....
15
Alta Chutes
The Remarkables plays host to some fantastic chutes that are found nestled on the ridge on the southern side of the Shadow Basin Chairlift that leads down east from the weather station, looking out directly towards the north face of Double Cone....
16
Cloud Nine
Cloud Nine is basically the wide area in the middle of the saddle. There are endless options in here for ripping around. The top section is a little steep but is very wide....
17
Crags
Crags is a very short and very narrow gully that sits above Shooter. It has one steep section through a rocky outcrop which can be loaded with snow on a good day....
18
Bullet
Bullet is great for big fast turns as it is one of the wider gullies in the saddle. As with all of them, it collects snow making it a great choice on a powder day....
19
Shooter and Upper Shooter
Shooter sits skier's right of Super pipe but it's a very different run. Although the gradient is much the same, the depth of the gully is a lot shallower which makes it very playful and it's loaded with natural side hits of varying difficulty....
20
Super Pipe
Super pipe is great if you want a steeper run. The walls are a lot steeper especially on skier's right which means there are many features to jump off. It's a longer run than Bullet as it ends up in another very steep section called Daves Ditch....
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