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| Mt. Hutt A little over an hour's drive from the Pacific is Mt. Hutt, Canterbury's largest skifield, boasting the longest ski season in Australasia. Although the resort is small by U.S. standards (Squaw's parking lot is bigger than the mountain), it offers amazing views of the Canterbury plains all the way to the sea. Being able to see the ocean while skiing was an incredible experience. |
| The amazing Southern Alps stretched out to the horizon from the top of the skifield. |
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| Mt. Hutt is home to the highest restaurant in Australasia. We noshed there once, the rest of the time, we dined in the van. Frisbees make great plates. |
| The Alpenhorn in Methven is one of the best hostels we've stayed in. The owner Kay bakes great homemade bread and the hot tub makes for some nice apres ski relaxation. |
| We had to put chains on the van every morning on the way up to the mountain. The road was narrow and treacherous, but Kiwis say it's nothing compared to fields in Arthurs Pass. Uggh. |
| The main skifield. In the carpark we were entertained by keas- alpine parrots. They like to cause trouble and spend their day ripping apart cars and ski racks with their strong beaks. |
| Ready to take on the mountain! |
| Jill is carefully picking out her line and planning her aerial moves. Check out the ocean on the horizon! |