Mount Olympus ski field has basic facilities and services in keeping with its NZ club field status. The main facilities are located at the Top Hut accommodation lodge which doubles as the day lodge. It has a kitchen and dining area, dodgy toilet facilities, a shabby chic lounge area in front of the ticket office come ‘shop’. If a naughty kea eats your snowboard bindings or your goggles, it’s a case of very bad luck. Unfortunately you won’t be able to replace them at Mount Olympus as the "shop" only sells the absolute basics such as lift passes, sun-screen, drinks and chocolate bars.
Eating On Mountain
Day-trippers can either BYO lunch and heat it up in the kitchen of the day lodge, or buy lunch prepared by the chef (this is highly recommended!). The lunch is absolutely fantastic. It’s varies each day, but might include soup, homemade bread, and salad. It sure beats the lunch at other club fields, which consists of a micro-waved pie or a burger that you have to cook yourself.
Complimentary tea and coffee (and milo for those lucky enough not to have a caffeine addiction) are available for everyone. The little canteen sells other drinks and snacks, and they accept EFTPOS if you’re short on kiwi cash.
On sunny days, the best spot to perch is on the front deck of the lodge.
Children’s Facilities
There are no formal facilities for kids at Mt Olympus. The kids might have fun fossicking through the famous dress up box at Mt Olympus to find a costume to wear around the lodge or out skiing, but they’d have to fight the adults off!!
Mt Olympus Ski School
Free ski or snowboard group lessons are included as part of the ski week packages. Private lessons are also available on request.
Equipment Rental
Ski and snowboard hire is not available on-mountain at Mount Olympus. There’s
Methven ski hire, or organise equipment hire in in Christchurch or at Gnomes Snowsports in Darfield.
Nutcracker belts are available on-mountain for free as part of your lift ticket, or modern harnesses (which make riding the ropetows much easier) are available as part of a package if you head to Mt Olympus with Black Diamond Safaris.