Methven is a small country town, but it has all the necessary facilities and services for skiers and travellers. In addition to shops and cafés, there is a laundrette, pharmacy, post office and ATMs.

Methven Ski Hire

There are two good Methven ski hire shops that rent equipment including fat skis for heli skiing. Both shops are centrally located in town, and they do repairs.

Considering the fickle weather around Methven, both Methven ski shops have a refund policy in the event that Mt Hutt (or other ski fields or heli skiing) is closed. 

A great Methven ski shop is Big Al’s which is located opposite the Brown Pub. They have a range of ski and snowboard equipment for hire for beginners up to experts. Big Al’s used to be renowned as the specialist in snowboards, with a range of high end boards and bindings. However they now also cater very well to skiers, and have a good range of powder skis. 

Alpine Sports is very family oriented and has a range of high quality rental gear for adults and kids including resort skis, powder skis, snowboards, snow boots and clothing.

It’s possible to purchase insurance for the hire equipment for a couple of dollars. Get the insurance unless you’ll definitely only ride on the groomers. Mt Hutt ski resorts and other ski fields near Methven have perilous rocks. And if heli skiing in New Zealand, definitely get insurance as sharp rocks seem to pop out from nowhere, the type that are RIP for a board or skis!

The alternative to ski hire in Methven is to rent equipment up at Mt Hutt. Mt Hutt ski hire has the advantage that you don’t have to lug it up the mountain, and can change the equipment during the day if required. However Methven ski hire is cheaper than at Mt Hutt, as is snowboard hire.

There is equipment hire available at Porters, Mt Cheeseman, and limited options available at Mt Dobson. There is no rental equipment at Broken River, Craigieburn, Mt Olympus or Fox Peak, so you’ll need to have your own gear or rely on Methven ski hire.

If you’re heading out heli skiing and need some fat skis, you’ll also need to hire these in Methven because the heliski operators don’t have their own equipment. 

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Child Care

Some of the resort accommodation in Methven is quite child friendly and they can organise babysitting services. Brinkley resort is one such example. If skiing or snowboarding at Mt Hutt, childcare and programs for children are available. Childcare is not offered at Porters ski field, Craigieburn or Mt Olympus.