Mt Hutt keeps knocking out the records. Not only officially New Zealand’s best ski resort two years in a row, plus the best snowfall at a Kiwi ski field this year but now also the highest altitude spa pool in the country.
The six-seater Alpine Spas pool located at the top of Summit Six Chairlift at the Canterbury ski field is at 2086m above sea level. It’s so high you can see all the way along the Southern Alps and across the Canterbury Plains to the Pacific Ocean on a clear day.
“This is a unique experience, and perfect for spring, when the feeling on mountain is way more relaxed. It’s the luxury model with all the bells & whistles including Bluetooth surround sound with a powerful subwoofer. Not a bad way to warm up sore muscles after a few runs” said Mt Hutt ski area manager, James McKenzie.
Guests book a time at the Mt Hutt admin office and bring togs and towel. There is a changing shed near the pool and ski patrol are close by to help with any issues.
“We saw it as a great way to legitimately show just how good our product is. This pool has withstood some of the harshest conditions in the country. Freezing temperatures, high winds and yet it has been ready to use at 40 degrees” said Simon Riddell, Director of Alpine Spas.
“When we say we can deliver anywhere in New Zealand, we never imagined it would be at the top of a snow-covered peak! We have to acknowledge the great job Christchurch Helicopters did. They were absolute pros.”
At 2086 metres altitude and with the extreme weather conditions, installment was not without its challenges.
“We had to helicopter the 650kg pool to the top of the mountain with Christchurch Helicopters, and try to get dry ground for a foundation,” explained McKenzie.“We’ve already lost two covers due to wind and had to refill the pool due to the wind lapping the water out.”
The idea came about from wanting a spa at the end of the Peak to Pub annual race, but quickly elevated to an even loftier ambition.
Mt Hutt is now staying open until the 15th of October so there is plenty of time for the spa pool to be used.
The Alpine Spa will be choppered off the mountain again at the end of the season. At this stage there are no plans to install a spa in the 2018 season.
