Altitude Training NZ is based amongst some of New Zealand’s most spectacular scenery in the Southern Alps. The Snow Farm and Snow Park set in the Pisa range has close at hand the training venues of Wanaka and Queenstown in the heart of Central Otago. At an altitude of 1515m the Snow Farm is perfect for altitude training, those wanting to Live High and Train Low can do this with ease as the close cities contain all the necessary facilities and at an appropriate altitude - Wanaka and Queenstown and both at approximately 280m.

The Snow Farm a lodge itself was built in the 1990’s by entrepreneurs John and Mary Lee and is now a highly respected winter base for some of the worlds top cross country ski teams. This includes the American, Japanese and Swiss ski teams who use the Snow Farm as their off season altitude training base.

In the summer however the lodge is the perfect place to base your altitude training program, vastly developed tracks over what would be the ski tracks in the winter are ready and for running and Mountain biking. The scenic country roads of central Otago are wonderful road cycling areas and you are able to ride for any distance you desire. There are also large flat areas perfect for your team training or for doing reps on if required.

Queenstown and Wanaka are both rural townships located at the edge of Lake Wakatipu and Lake Wanaka. These lakes are both readily accessible for all types of open water training in the summer including rowing, swimming, wake boarding, waterskiing, kayaking and a nice relaxing dip after a long ride or run. There are also large grounds for team training or to run on.

Lake Hayes is another lake situated on the way to Queenstown and was the venue for the 2003 Triathlon World Champs with a spectacular backdrop it also has magnificent training for not only swimming or rowing etc but also running and riding.

Training in Queenstown and Wanaka’s venues are some the most beautiful areas in the world and perfect for training. The lodge is approximately 35mins from Wanaka and 45mins from Queenstown so is handy to any necessities or town requirements you may have.

John Hellemans

The Snow Farm has been used by Dr John Hellemans over the last 4-5years as an altitude training facility, focusing on triathlon mainly, John is regarded as one of the best multisport coaches and doctors New Zealand has ever had.

John currently has a group of elite athletes that are amongst the best in the triathlon world including: Kris Gemmel, Andrea Hewitt and Nicky Samuels.

Working closely with the New Zealand Elite Women’s triathlon team before the Commonwealth Games in 2006, John put the athletes through a 2 week training camp at the Snow Farm, the result in the women’s triathlon speaks for itself NZ 2, 3, and 4!

The Snow Farm has intermittently been used as an elite training facility over the years and John believes it really has the potential to be one of the best altitude training facilities in the world.