Snow Farm Overnight Hut Information 

We look forward to seeing you at the Snow Farm for your overnight trip to the hut.
Please read this information before you arrive as this will give you an idea what to expect.
 

Packing Your Gear  
Food,
Activities,
Safety
Payments

What is provided in the hut?

The hut is kitted out with a gas cooker, crockery, cutlery, fire wood, matches, drinking water (in the Meadow hut please collect this from the river and boil water for 5 minutes before drinking) and toilet paper. The Meadow Hut has solar lights. Meadow Hut has two gas hobs, the oven top and slow cook oven & gas BBQ. Please let us know if these supplies are low.Gas .Wood and coal are taken to the huts over the summer

Packing Your Gear

• Don’t go crazy and pack everything! Only pack what is necessary and try to keep your bags as lightweight as possible.
• Make sure you pack your gear in a suitable rucksack incase you need to ski out with it. Occasionally weather prevents us from picking up your gear by skidoo.
• Ensure your rucksack is lined with a heavy-duty plastic bag liner to stop the contents from getting wet.
• We ask you to take your rubbish out with you as we expect you to operate on a leave no trace policy.

Food

It is always good to look forward to a hearty meal at night. Make it a back country experience.  Be organized so that all you need to do is heat your food up at the hut. It pays to be ahead of the game and prepare your food before arriving at the Snow Farm. Like wise for your lunches and breakfast, ready –made sandwiches for lunch are little hassle and easy to carry.  As for breakfast, porridge gives you a good kick-start to the day. Staying minimalist is the key!

Carrying liquid? You will find that you need to re-hydrate often when cross-country skiing. It is useful to carry a full water bottle with you, as you will be thirsty. If you are taking milk to the huts, we recommend powdered milk to help prevent spillage in bags. When packing food try to avoid using plastic containers to reduce bulk in your bag, others options are paper bags or burnable boxes. Back Country foods make some lovely dehydrated meals – you can order them from us two weeks in advance of your trip. Check out http://backcountrycuisine.co.nz

We do take gear out on the Snowmobile but will have to add extra charges if there is too much food or not suitably packed

Whats in the Hut?
Plates ,cups ,cutlery, cooking untensils and pots and pans. Beds , Matresses. 

Activities

Arrive early at the hut to you can enjoy a trip out prior to dinner. From the Meadow Hut a tour to the Bob Lee to see the sunset is memorable or up Top Beat to see the view of Lake Hawea.

Sledding –Bring your own piece of heavy plastic that works well for sliding. Remember to take extreme care as sledding can cause accidents.

Cell Phones

Bring a cell phone with you and make sure the battery is fully charged in the case of an emergency. This should be carried close to your body to keep the battery warm as the cold reduces the battery life. There is considerably good cell phone reception across the Snow Farm mountain. Rent a locator beacon from us.

Accidents

In the event of an accident, the nearest phone reception is on route to the Bob Lee Hut. To contact the Snow Farm phone 021 766 910. During the day call: 03 443 7542, Evening / Night time call: 03 443 9729.

In an Emergency call 111

Hut Safety

Do not leave children unattended in the hut at any time.
When burning candles please use the candleholders provide
Please keep matches out of reach of children.
Disconnect and remove gas bottles from the hut in the evening.
No rubbish or waste water in the outside toilet
No fire wood near the fire. It can ignite spontaneously

Test Fire Alarms

On arrival, test the fire alarms. Replace any batteries if the fire alarm is not working. (there are spare batteries above the fire place).

Fire
There is a fire extinguisher  & fire blanket by the front door of the hut. If in any doubt, evacuate the hut.

Wood

Make sure you have a good supply of wood inside. Do not stack the wood beside the fire, wood can combust if it is less than one meter away. To light the fire put the wood in the top left hand side. The flu located near the chimney should be facing East – West of the chimney to allow a draft through the fire. Once a good fire has been established turn the flu North – South to let the oven heat up. Use coal from now on. Before you leave please fill the hut store room with dry wood for the next person.
There is coal to make the fire really burn hotter to heat the oven.

Gas Cooker

If you decide to use the gas cooker, you do so at your own risk. After cooking, always turn the gas off at the cylinder. Before going to bed, remove the gas cylinder from the sleeping room and put it outside, double check the gas is definitely turned off.

Water

Water needs to be collected from the river near by. It is vital that you boil the water for at least 5  minutes before consuming.  

Rubbish 

All rubbish should be taken out with you. We expect you to work on a leave no trace policy. Never put rubbish down the outside toilet.  Consider the packing of your food and products you take to the hut. If you can package your food in collapsible recyclable packaging then the rubbish will be severely reduced. Items such as tins take the time to flatten them and fold boxes before putting them in bags. A real recycling exercise.

Toilet

Sprinkle lime on the outside toilet before you leave. The inside toilet at the Meadow Hut is for emergencies only .The inside toilet if used with door open jams the waste and the working mechanism fails. Please always use with the door closed – take a torch.  Never put rubbish, cans or dishwater in the toilet.

Locator Beacons

A personal choice if you want that extra safety option. Locator beacons are available for hire throughout the South Island, we are looking to become an agent. This is especially useful if you are planning back-country trips on the Pisa Range. Cost $20 overnight and $30 for two nights.  We rent locator beacons on behalf of a Trust and hope that you will rent from us to support the Trust.

Bad weather options

We know you are in the hut and expect you to stay in the hut in a storm. In very rare extreme weather conditions we are unable to use snowmobiles or groomers  to check on you. Staying in the hut is the option for you. As soon as the storm clears we will be out to check on you. Generally storms do not last long. If you do come back to the lodge in bad weather stay close together. Don’t stress if you have a bus or plane to catch as more than likely they will not be able to get up the road, its not worth the risk.

 

Gear List

• Shoes/ slippers for in the Hut
• Water resistant & windproof jacket and pants
• Hat
• Gloves
• Extra socks 
• Layers of clothing, tops & bottoms. Recommended at least of the layers to have thermal properties, polypro or wool
• Torch
• Sleeping bag & Liner, Pillow slip (cover

 

Payments
An initial payment of the hut booking only to secure your booking.
Our bank account is SNOW FARM  02-0673-0112306-001 Particulars – Your surname, Code- Hut Reference date e.g. 210611

Full payment must be made 7 days prior to arrival. This will make your trip much more enjoyable as payments with groups have been time consuming and frustrating for both your group and our staff. if you miss and haven't paid please fill out the form before coming so we can process your payment quickly.

Conditions are on the hut form so please fill the form in on our web page
Cancellations
We are very conscious that these trips are weather dependent and we have the experience to reasonably predict the weather for safety especially when young children are involved.

If we cancel your booking then a full refund or transfer will be made to your bank account or card. 

If you cancel the booking within two weeks of your booked date fifty percent refund. Hut fees are non refundable. We are reasonable and if we can fill the hut we will refund less 10% admin. If you can find a replacement then full refund will apply.If you have any questions before your trip, please contact us 03 443 7542 / snowfarmnz@gmail.com.Put these numbers in your cell phone.Emergency Numbers Summer 03 4439729 or 4431904 or a real medical emergency call 111 Emergency Numbers Winter 03 4439729 or 021766910   or a real medical emergency call 111