Potts Range Snowshoeing
Potts Range Snowshoeing
Snowshoe Hikes at Erewhon Hut
Snowshoeing & avalanche safety equipment provided
A great option to try snowshoeing, without a big commitment
Erewhon Hut
Erewhon Hut was built in 2024 and sits at 1750m on the historic Erewhon Park Ski Field. This iconic hut was specifically designed for ski touring and split-boarding groups and sleeps up to 12 guests.
Warm, cosy & modern
Well insulated and heated, Erewhon Hut is a cozy mountain retreat for ski / split-board tourers, hikers, mountain bikers and outdoor adventurers. It is the ideal venue to sit out a storm and catch first tracks in fresh powder snow!
Facilities
The hut is split into two identical halves, each comprising 6 bunks, a log burner with drying rack, small kitchen, table and seats. Firewood, gas, solar lighting / USB charging facilities and cookware are all provided. Alpine Recreation has stocked the hut with sleeping bags for each bunk. This will keep the pack volume and weight down for walk-in / ski-in trips.
Access
Walk-in / out access is up the old Erewhon Ski Field access track. Access is initially via a public easement over private land. The track climbs at a steady gradient through many zigzags before gaining the valley below the hut. The track traverses steep scree slopes and in places has been eroded and washed out by slips. The final section below the hut is the most challenging, as the track steepens and is often icy in the shade. It usually takes around 5 hours to walk to the hut, depending on conditions.
Heli access is available by prior arrangement and if weather conditions permit.
Potts Range Snowshoeing dates are scheduled on a case by case basis - please contact us with the dates you would like. We recommend that you settle guiding dates well in advance as guide availability during peak season is limited. Please allow extra time in case you are held up in the mountains due to weather.
Standard bookings
Loyalty discount: If you have been on an Alpine Recreation trip before, you will be eligible for $100 off the standard trip price (does not apply to any already discounted prices).
| Standard Price | 4 days price per person |
|---|---|
| Individual bookings group size | NZ$3000 2 - 5 per guide * |
Please read the information on minimum and maximum group sizes below.
Group discounts: get a group of family and friends together and book as a group. The amount of discount you will be eligible for, will depend on the group size - the more people you book, the more your discount will be. If our scheduled dates don't suit your group's travel plans, please contact us so we can reschedule a trip to suit (subject to guide availability).
Please note that group bookings are not private bookings - if you wish to keep your group closed and have a private guide just for your group, a surcharge will apply.
| Group Discounts | 4 days price per person |
|---|---|
| Group booking of 5 | NZ$2,625.00 2 - 5 per guide |
Deposit Payment
A non-refundable per-person deposit is payable to secure a booking:
- NZ$500.00
The remaining balance of the trip price (including any applicable discounts) is due 60 days prior to departure. If you are booking within 60 days of the trip start, the full amount will be due.
Booking conditionsInclusions & Exclusions
All prices include the following:
- IFMGA / NZMGA certified alpine trekking guide
- Department of Conservation licence fees
- Heated PRIVATE hut accommodation
- Local accommodation for any nights required during the trip
- Ground transport (Tekapo - Mt Potts Easement Track return)
- ALL meals (including snacks & energy bars) for the duration of the trip
- ALL avalanche safety and snowshoeing equipment
The following items are NOT included:
- Meals and accommodation before/after the trip are NOT included.
- Flights are NOT included
Flight costs - not included in trip price
Optional flights to / from Erewhon Hut can be provided on request by Station Air (based across the Rangitata Valley at Mesopotamia Station).
Note that a double flight is required for a full group of 5 plus guide and gear. Agreement to fly or walk is required from the whole group - the group cannot be split if there is only 1 guide.
Flights are not included in the price, as costs vary according to the type of aircraft and occupancy.
Weather dependent: As there is no guarantee of being able to fly (due to weather) and no obligation to fly, we like to be able to pass on any potential savings directly to our guests.
| Price per flight (the cost is split equally amongst guests) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | Aircraft | Spaces | Price |
| Mt Potts Station to / from Erewhon Hut - double flight | MD 520N Helicopter | 6 | NZ$1,500.00 |
| Mt Potts Station to / from Erewhon Hut - single flight | MD 520N Helicopter | 3 | NZ$1,000.00 |
Please note: Flight prices are given as examples only and are subject to change by aircraft operators at any time. In addition to guests, each aircraft will also transport the guide and gear.
Minimum & Maximum Group Size
A minimum number of 2 participants is required to run this trip. If you end up being the only person booked on the trip, you will be offered the choice of:
- paying an additional fee to run the trip at a reduced guide-to-guest ratio
- rescheduling to another trip/date
- a full refund
A maximum number of 5 participants per guide is defined by our safety management plan. For groups larger than this, it is usually possible to allocate additional guides.
Previous Experience
Previous multi-day tramping / hiking over rough, untracked terrain is required. Previous snowshoeing experience is recommended.
For an easier option, we recommend starting with our Snowshoe Heli-Hikes or Lake Tekapo Snowshoeing.
Difficulty Ratings
Endurance: 2.5 - Slightly challenging +
A good level of aerobic fitness is expected. Suitable for people who regularly undertake multi-day hiking/trekking/tramping trips. Must be comfortable carrying a light-moderate backpack (5-8 kg) for 4-6 hours. Expect ascents of 500-800 vertical metres.
Agility: 3 - Moderate scrambling agility
Scrambling over rough ground with hand placement needed (eg. pulling yourself up on vegetation, clambering over boulders). Good foot placement required across a variety of terrain, including steep grass, alpine scrub, scree, boulder-fields and snow. Must be competent and efficient at moving over uneven and untracked terrain carrying a moderate backpack. Sections of steep and/or exposed terrain at times. May involve crossing snow slopes and/or glaciers, requiring the use of crampons and ice axe if conditions are firm.
Technical Mountaineering: 1 - Beginner mountaineer
No prior rope skills or experience with crampons/ice axe required. Basic 10-point crampon, ice axe, self-arresting and glacier travel skills introduced by guide if applicable.
Trip Difficulty Ratings - more info| Gear Check | Start Time | End Time |
|---|---|---|
| 6:00 pm | 8:00 am | 5:00 pm |
Potts Range Snowshoeing - Clothing & Equipment Checklist
Your gear check time will be provided at time of booking. Please bring as many of the items on the equipment list as you can. We can provide (at no extra charge), any of the items in list A that you are missing. Your pack with your own gear should not weigh more than 7kg. Remember that you will be adding snowshoes, crampons, ice-axe, helmet and some fresh food (bread, meat, cheese, veges) to this weight, to end up with about 10-12kg to carry on the first day. Reminder: all food is provided.
Snowshoes, trekking poles, avalanche safety equipment, crampons, ice axe, helmet, etc. are all provided. Sleeping bags, mattresses, pillows and hut shoes are at the hut. We provide you with a sleeping bag liner and pillow case (if you have your own sleeping bag liner, please bring it).
*1 Boots: must be well broken-in and waterproofed, and stiff enough for crampons. To test boot stiffness, hold them at toe and heel and try bending the sole like a banana. If you can do this, your boots are too soft. Please note that we stock boots ranging from EU size 37-48; if you have feet outside this range and do not have suitable boots of your own, you will need to hire boots independently from: Gnomes Alpine Sports, Darfield; Small Planet Sports, Queenstown; or MT Outdoors, Wanaka. Book any hire equipment well in advance.
*2 Blister kit: we recommend Compeed and Leukoplast - available at chemists in Christchurch, Queenstown and Wanaka.
A. Equipment which Alpine Recreation can provide if you do not have your own:
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| avalanche safety equipment transceiver, shovel, probe | 1 |
| backpack - 45L must have side tension straps | 1 |
| buff / sun scarf for protecting ears & neck | 1 |
| gaiters to fit over trekking / mountaineering boots | 1 |
| headlamp with spare battery | 1 |
| mountaineering equipment helmet, ice axe, crampons, harness, carabiners, slings, prussics | 1 |
| polypro / merino thermal leggings | 2 |
| polypro / merino top long-sleeved | 2 |
| snowshoeing equipment snowshoes, poles | 1 |
| sun hat | 1 |
| synthetic / fleece jacket | 1 |
| trekking / hiking poles | 1 |
| trekking / mountaineering boots sturdy enough for crampons | 1 |
| warm gloves / mittens | 1 |
| waterproof hard-shell pants full-length zip | 1 |
| waterproof over-mitts | 1 |
| waterproof pack liner to keep your gear dry | 1 |
| waterproof parka must have a hood | 1 |
| wool hat / balaclava | 1 |
| woollen socks | 2 |
B. Equipment you must bring yourself/Alpine Recreation do not provide:
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| camera | 1 |
| down jacket | (optional) 1 |
| drink bottle / thermos flask wide-mouth, minimum 1 litre | 1 |
| ear plugs in case of snorers | 1 |
| personal first aid please provide your own blister kit | 1 |
| personal underwear | 1 |
| quick-drying shirt long-sleeved, for sun protection | 1 |
| small dry bags for organising gear | 1 |
| snow goggles | 1 |
| sun and lip screen high UV rating for snow | 1 |
| sun glasses high UV rating for snow | 1 |
| toiletries please keep these to a minimum | 1 |
