Mount Hutt ski field

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33050, 18 October 1972, Page 27

Mount Hutt ski field

The Minister of Forests (Mr Maclntyre) has formally invited development proposals for the establishment of a commercial ski field at Mount Hutt, near Methven.

The Mount Hutt ski-fleld has already been closely inspected by one company which has spent more than $12,000 on investigations. The field lies within Pudding Hill State Forest, an area of 10,000 acres. According to law the Minister is required to invite anyone interested in developing the field to commercial level to make proposals before giving specific approval for any project.

The Mount Hutt Ski Field Investigation Company, Ltd. formed earlier this year, will be making submissions for the development of the field. The company has already built a road of nine miles from the plains to more than 5000 ft up the curving lip of the basin. Experimental tow bars have also been installed. None of this work will entitle the company as of right to Ministerial approval to take over the field, which will be the first commercial one opened in a State forest area.

The Forest service has already decided that there will be no accommodation made available within the area because of sewage and rubbish disposal problems. “We are not going to have another Ruapehu,” said an officer of the service yesterday. A ski village is likely to be established at Methven which is only 19 miles away from the snow. The Forest Service proposes to lease the sites on which any buildings and skitow installations are to be built. The ski field itself will be run on a permit basis which will ensure access to other people like trampers and

shooters who are accustomed to using the general area. There has been considerable enthusiasm among skiers for the development of the Mount Hutt ski-field. The basin is one mile wide at the top, faces south, retains snow for long periods, is very safe, and within easy driving distance of Christchurch. Skiers would have runs of one mile and a half to two miles from heights of 7000 ft to 4500 ft. The skiing area is larger than Coronet Peak and 1000 ft higher, with slopes for both learner and experienced skiers. Applications for the rights to develop and operate the field will close on November