I've done 2 South Island Snow Safaris with these guys.

Really well organised company, great guides. Everything is A1.

Reviewed about 8 years ago

Loved our tour guide, Willow.

Loved my other traveling companions. Wish the snow safari were longer...like maybe 12 days to give us either extra free days or extra ski days (i.e. ski one of the resorts more than once). Awesome scenery. Great ski terrain. I so hope I have a chance to do it again sometime.

Reviewed almost 8 years ago

7 day Southern Alps Tour.

Aug 9 - Aug 16. Started in Christchurch, finished in Queenstown.

We were fortunate to get some snowfall at the start of our tour, which made the conditions quite nice.

Our tour guide Haygi has been shredding the southern alps since '92 and has plenty of connections to prove it. He is a top notch guy who knows where to find the best runs on the mountain as well as the coldest brews and best slice of pizza après-ski. Don't hesitate to ask him for anything, he will help you.

I insist that you finish this tour by staying in Queenstown for an extra day and experiencing the plethora of adventure activities that surround you. You have to try the Canyon Swing. Make sure to book all your extra curricular activities through your tour guide, it makes it seamless.

After this premiere visit to NZ, it has me jonesing to come back in the summer.

Cheers

Reviewed almost 9 years ago and experienced in August 2015

This review is for the 12 day tour completed in August 2015.......

I travelled out from the UK for the trip. Holly and Nicola based in the office handled all the pre departure questions and queries really well given it was by email and a 12 hour time difference (the Haka paper work from the website is excellent and covers virtually all the bases). I went for the optional extra of having my own room on the tour and this turned out really well (nothing against the rest of the "team" on the tour - you know who you are).

Jamie our guide (and driver) had the organisation down to a tee and had the complication of looking at the weather to decide the forward plan...... Given the weather and the snow conditions Jamie did an excellent job (tour was 9th to 20th August). Obviously the weather is a big variable and the 12 day is not 12 days of skiing every day. There are some part days - travelling and skiing and transfer days between ski fields. Overall the itinerary is flexible to cope with weather and snow conditions and the state of the various fields (and the access roads). The itinerary as on the website is not firm and fixed.

I can't fault Jamie and the Haka team on the organisation of the tour. For instance they are obviously trying different accommodation to improve the experience and are not resting on their "laurels" which is refreshing - a continuous improvement culture! I didn't partake in the optional extras at Wanaka (heliskiing, skydiving) but those that did seemed to have successful days.

Overall a great experience and measured up to expectation - see a good part of the South Island and experience New Zealand skiing.

Not quite a 10 out of 10 as Haka were let down right at the last minute by the shuttle company in Christchurch - not following instructions for transferring bags and completing an airport transfer at the end of the last day..... this is being changed!!!

All in all if you want to do the South Island ski experience do it with Haka!!

Reviewed almost 9 years ago and experienced in August 2015

I did the 12 day Odyssey with Jamie D.

We were the first group to do this tour. Jamie was an outstanding guide and professional driver. I felt very safe on the roads to the ski fields despite our vehicle being a two wheel drive (I heard they have since upgraded to 4x4). The group was small and adaptable to some of the changes we had to make due to conditions and weather. Jamie's experience and knowledge made these changes effortless. The nut-cracker rope tows can be challenging . They are pretty easy to learn on skis, but if you snowboard you should be reasonably comfortable with riding switch as the side you have to ride on can change.

Haka tours was very responsive and easy to work with. They helped me with shuttle connections, lodging and hiring ski equipment when the airline lost my skis. It is hard to find a company with such consistently high ratings and good reviews online, but in my experience Haka tours has earned them many times over.

Reviewed almost 10 years ago and experienced in July 2015

Loved our tour guide, Willow.

Loved my other traveling companions. Wish the snow safari were longer...like maybe 12 days to give us either extra free days or extra ski days (i.e. ski one of the resorts more than once). Awesome scenery. Great ski terrain. I so hope I have a chance to do it again sometime.

Reviewed almost 8 years ago

I've done 2 South Island Snow Safaris with these guys.

Really well organised company, great guides. Everything is A1.

Reviewed about 8 years ago

7 day Southern Alps Tour.

Aug 9 - Aug 16. Started in Christchurch, finished in Queenstown.

We were fortunate to get some snowfall at the start of our tour, which made the conditions quite nice.

Our tour guide Haygi has been shredding the southern alps since '92 and has plenty of connections to prove it. He is a top notch guy who knows where to find the best runs on the mountain as well as the coldest brews and best slice of pizza après-ski. Don't hesitate to ask him for anything, he will help you.

I insist that you finish this tour by staying in Queenstown for an extra day and experiencing the plethora of adventure activities that surround you. You have to try the Canyon Swing. Make sure to book all your extra curricular activities through your tour guide, it makes it seamless.

After this premiere visit to NZ, it has me jonesing to come back in the summer.

Cheers

Reviewed almost 9 years ago and experienced in August 2015

I loved travelling with Haka snow tours.

I went on the 7 day snow tour. Booking was easy. Nic was wonderful with answering any questions I had and nothing was too much of a problem. Even at the end of the tour when my flight was changed and I needed more accommodation the ladies in the office were wonderful.

Travelling on my own, it was my first time on a board and I hadn't even skied for years. Burto was our guide and a legend. He knows the best runs and terrains for both skiers and boarders (he does both) and willing to accommodate anyone's skill level/style. As the weather in NZ changes so quickly sometimes the itinerary will change. Burto knew exactly where to go and was skilled at predicting how the snow would change so everyone got the most out of their day. Ask him anything about the local area and he could probably answer it.

The dorm accommodation is great especially the Haka lodges. The tour is social and really well organised, Burto let us know the best places to eat and drink in Wanaka, Queenstown and Tekapo.

Can't wait to come back next year!

Reviewed almost 9 years ago

Well organised tour to a variety of ski resorts in the south island - the group leader was excellent and very effective.

Most of the group was fun and easygoing. There were heaps of activities. Perhaps trying to get up to the slopes early would be good. I would highly recommend.

Reviewed about 9 years ago and experienced in June 2015

I just wanted to thank everyone at Haka Tours for the great seven-day ski tour I participated in from July 24 to 31, 2015.

Conditions were generally terrific; our tour guide, Cameron, did a great job and everything he could to help ensure the trip went well. I was completely happy with it, and made some new friends I hope to see again.

Reviewed about 9 years ago

Fantastic experience sharing some time with total strangers.

Plenty of snow in almost all ski centers, suitable for any type of expertise. Stunning views and nice towns visited on the way to Queenstown. One of the accommodation can be improved, the rest was comfy and in convenient areas. It also helped that we had an almost perfect weather and our tour guide Grant was cool!

Reviewed almost 10 years ago and experienced in August 2014

Haka Tours has helped me fall in love with New Zealand.

The tour is incredibly relaxed (what you want from a holiday) yet had a completely organised feeling to it. Burto, our guide, had such depth of knowledge of the land, the people, the "tourist" spots and the unknown gems. Combining that with his contagious positive vibe makes him an amazing guide. Each day was it's own unique adventure.

I went to learn how to snowboard, what I've learnt is so much more.

I'll be back to NZ as soon as possible with Haka.

Reviewed almost 10 years ago

Had a wicked time with haka tours!

Highly recommended! Thanks so much for the good memories ☺ look forward to next time 🗻

Reviewed almost 10 years ago

Had a fantastic trip with Haka Tours, great people and aswesome tour guide.

Excellent value for money. Best week of skiing I've had, definitely recommended!

Reviewed almost 10 years ago

Amazing!

Best week I have had skiing. The people were nice and really easy to get along with and the instructor really new his stuff! Big ups for Haka Snow Tours! I will definitely be back again.

Reviewed about 10 years ago and experienced in January 2014

I would highly recommend the 7 day snow/ski tour.

The tour guides were knowledgeable and very friendly and really made the experience a happy and fulfilling one. The Haka lodge(s) in both Queenstown and Christchurch are excellent and the transport situation is ideal. The Purple Cow in Wanaka is also sufficient for the needs of this tour. I appreciated the flexibility of the tour and appreciated having the option of staying with the group for activities and also choosing to do my own thing when I wished. Met a fantastic group of people from all over the world and this was really the highlight of the trip.

Reviewed over 10 years ago

Hake Snow Tour is brilliant!

I had a sweet week going up and down the hills during this tour. The atmosphere is cool and everybody is up for a laugh.

Burto is a great guide, very patient -he taught some snowboard stuff as it was my first time on a board- and always helpful and fun. He always had something to tell about a place.

Hake choose well the route and you see beautiful landscapes (Tekapo, Queenstown...). The accommodation during the tour is ok and even excellent in the two Hake Lodges (Christchurch and Queenstown).

Hard to be disappointed in my opinion. Had a wonderful experience on tour.

Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in July 2013

This tour was great value for money.

It was really well organised and the only thing you needed to do each day was to get yourself ready and ski/board to your heart's content!! Burto is very knowledgable but laid-back, and knows how to make the tour so much fun for everyone. It was awesome meeting and hanging out with such a great mix of people. I highly recommend this tour, I had a blast!!

Reviewed about 11 years ago