As a group of young ambitious Kiwis, we’re always looking for our next big idea that can offer New Zealanders an unforgettable experience. Considering our heritage, it only made sense this experience would be centered around the South Island’s incredible mountain range. After an abundance of brainstorming, we were left with a question; how would one of our Spa Pools go at the top of Mt Hutt ski field?

We knew immediately that answering this question would require working with some serious logistical challenges including helicopters, snowmobiles, and a burning determination to create something epic. After organising the seemingly impossible, our Alpine Spa was dropped into place on the summit of Mt Hutt’s ski field, more than 2000 metres above sea level.

Now the hard part was over, we were eager to see how mountain goers would react to this unusual new amenity on their ski field. It turns out these skiers and snowboarders were more than prepared to brave the cold and climb on in to enjoy a fantastic hydrotherapy massage in 40°C of pure luxury against a backdrop of the sprawling Canterbury Plains.

In a country spoiled by appetising hot springs and luxury resorts, we are incredibly proud to provide what is undoubtedly, New Zealand’s most memorable soaking experience. Kiwis are unique people that are drawn to unique experiences. We believe you’d be hard-pressed to find a more memorable experience than cutting first tracks through some fresh powder followed by an afternoon soak in New Zealand’s highest altitude Spa.

A key component of any uniquely memorable experience is a healthy sprinkling of spontaneity. That’s why we’ve made this Spa Pool accessible to any Mt Hutt mountain goer. You don’t have to pay an extra fee, or book your spot, or have any friends in high places. All you need to do is bring a towel, brave the elements as you change into your swimwear, and before you know it you’ll be enjoying one of NZ’s most unique experiences currently on offer.

If Mt Hutt is within reach for you this Winter, you can not afford to pass up this incredible experience! To make it just a little bit sweeter, we have competitions running all Winter for anyone brave enough to climb on into NZ’s highest altitude Spa. All you need to do is snap a photo to mark the big occasion, and tag @alpinespasnz on Facebook or Instagram and you will be in the draw for another day up Mt Hutt, and this time it’ll be on us! Be sure to keep an eye on our social media pages for our latest competitions.

If our Spa is a little bit too far away for you to reach this Winter, we completely understand, but don’t worry – you won’t be left out in the cold! Make sure to follow us on social media and we will have plenty more competitions where you too will be able to win an opportunity to experience NZ’s highest altitude Spa.

Handling the toughest Alpine Conditions

Alpine Spas Founder, Simon Riddell, admitted he thought the idea was crazy to start with. However, after some pondering, he “really got excited about the opportunity we had to show our customers how our spas do actually handle the harshest Alpine conditions in NZ”. These conditions he speaks of are nothing to scoff at. Mt Hutt Sales and Marketing Manager, Richie Owen, confirmed how “serious” the 200kph wind gets up there at the summit, with temperatures dropping as low as -15°C with an additional wind chill factor. So all there was left to do was install the spa and observe the results.

To the amazement of many, (except us) our spa pool maintained an inviting 40°C through the coldest days of the season – offering mountain goers an unforgettable soaking experience. However, it wasn’t long before we had a spanner in the works when our spa was buried two metres deep, in a fresh dump of snow. Mt Hutt crew simply dug the spa out and found it still cranking at 40 degrees, ready for action. “Now that even impressed us,” said Riddell. Such a result is undoubtedly due to our comprehensive Alpine Insulation System, offering four layers of resilient insulation to keep spa water warm.

Crystal Clear Water

Skiers and snowboarders posed the next challenge. If you’ve ever spent a day up on the mountain, you’ll understand it’s a sweaty affair. Perspiration is considered a contaminant in spa pool water, along with shampoo, perfume, and several other fluids. Over time these contaminants can build up to a point where chlorine can no longer perform its duty. However, our spa’s sanitisation and filtration systems had no issues keeping the water clean and inviting for the next batch of thrill-seekers, regardless of the constant bather load its components were facing.

Deliver Anywhere

Mt Hutt also gave us an opportunity to really put our “we deliver anywhere” promise to the test. The skifield marked our highest altitude spa pool delivery to date, and it was extraordinary to watch. First, we picked up the spa pool from our warehouse in Christchurch, then carefully drove it up to Mt Hutt ski field on a trailer. Then it was time for the big guns. We tied strops around the spa pool to keep it completely secure, then attached these strops to a helicopter that was hovering nearby. The helicopter hoisted the spa pool high in the air and began to fly it up to the top of the mountain. After that, the spa was slowly lowered into its home for the season, ready for us to get it cranked up.

Now our Alpine Spa is a permanent fixture up on Mt Hutt, one skifield users have come to really appreciate. “Our guests love it! It’s a massive hit with people up here. Some think it’s crazy, and that’s what we love about it”, explained Owen. So, next time you’re heading up the mountain to slice through some snow, remember to bring your togs for a quick dip in New Zealand’s highest spa!