Methven
Methven is a quant little country town in the Canterbury region of the South Island of New Zealand, located only 1-1.5 hours west of Christchurch. Sometimes referred to as Mt Hutt village, Methven is an ideal base for skiing at
Mt Hutt which is only a 30 minute drive away. Methven is also the place to be for heli-skiing with
Methven Heli-ski, and there are also other heli-ski operators and eight other ski fields within 2 hours drive.
Methven is not a flamboyant town like
Queenstown. The culture is pleasantly laid-back, the people are friendly, and it is a great place to unwind. The relaxed culture also extends to the fashion which is all about dressing functionally. This is not the place for flashy clothing and being seen to be cool and hip.
In regards to the appearance of the town, Methven is a place of contradictions. Some of buildings are incredibly unattractive and shabby, which reflects the brown brick era, whilst other buildings are either tastefully restored, or modern and chic. There are clearly some great interior designers and architects starting to make a mark on the town. However the buildings pale into insignificance considering the spectacular backdrop of Mt Hutt and surrounding mountains. Don’t expect any flashy hotels in town.
“No-frills” would characterise most of the
Methven accommodation, with a few exceptions which are delightful in their appearance and character. There is no shortage of accommodation, and every 2nd house seems to be a B&B, lodge or backpackers place. Prices for accommodation are incredibly low, so Methven makes for a relatively budget ski holiday.
Methven is not a crazy ‘party town’ like Queenstown. There is definitely nightlife, albeit somewhat mellow. It has a good selection of restaurants and bars, and a couple of infamous pubs. If the foul weather sits in, there’s potential you might spend a bit of time at the Brown or Blue pub.
Considering that there is a reasonable chance that the ski areas and heli-skiing will be closed for at least one day during your stay, you will need to keep your itinerary flexible. Bring a book (and an umbrella) and plan for other things to do on your “rest day”.
Non-skiing activities in the area include jet boating in the Rakaia Gorge, skydiving, and playing golf on the picturesque Mt Hutt golf course.
All in all, Methven is a lovely place to visit - great value for money, access to a variety of skiing options, and an opportunity to slow down a bit. The positives of the town are what Methven doesn’t have – no crowds, no attitude and no pressure.