stephen
South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Christchurch ▷
4.5/5
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!!