Question 1

What kind of vehicle do I need to drive up the Cass Valley?

Accepted Answer

We always grade the track up the valley each year in preparation for the ski season, however it is a forever changing landscape with the river and snow dictating the condition of the track. You need a 4WD with enough clearance to navigate creek and river crossings especially if you are driving past the Waterfall Hut. 4WD cars with low clearance are not suitable to take up the valley. You are more than welcome to park on the station and walk/bike for the reminder of the trip if you do not have a suitable vehicle. You can drive a 4WD car to within approx 5kms of Waterfall Hut.

Question 2

What is supplied in the huts?

Accepted Answer

Each hut has gas rings, gas bottles, firewood, cooking equipment, plates, cutlery, mugs, dishwashing liquid, fire extinguisher, smoke & carbon dioxide alarms, ski boot racks and other drying racks. The mattresses are covered with durable light canvas, however we ask that you take either a fitted sheet to sleep on or sleep in a sleeping bag liner to keep the mattresses as clean as possible. You need to take your own toilet paper and a fresh tea towel.

Question 3

Can you give me directions on how to drive up the valley?

Accepted Answer

Directions for getting up the Cass Valley: Drive 14.6kms down Godley Peaks Road, turn left at our mailbox (large Glenmore sign and mailbox on wagon wheels), drive up straight past the cattle yards then to the right of the pine trees. This track takes you out to our Joseph paddocks (approx 5kms from the yards) where you will go through a gate then across a culvert/bridge and the track then forks. Turn right here and then the valley is there before you and you follow the track to your destination.

ALL GATES ARE TO BE LEFT AS YOU FIND THEM AND STOCK HAVE RIGHT OF WAY AT ALL TIMES.

Question 4

Where can we leave spare vehicles that we are not taking up the valley?

Accepted Answer

Extra vehicles that are not being taken up the valley are welcome to be parked beside the trees beside the cattle yards. They will be safe there. You are welcome to leave them further up the valley too.

Question 5

If we want to fly into and out of the huts, who do we contact?

Accepted Answer

We like to support local, plus Mackenzie Helicopters provide extraordinary service. Contact them via their website www.mackenziehelicopters.com and they will be happy to help with planning your ski touring adventure. They also have exclusive access for helicopter trips to The Bad Decision (Whisky Hut) so if you have a special occasion to celebrate or family and friends you want to take up there get in touch with them. These trips are available year round.

Question 6

Are the huts locked?

Accepted Answer

No - we do not lock any of our huts.

Question 7

What are the snow conditions like up the Cass at the moment?

Accepted Answer

This is a hard one to answer - we understand the need to know what conditions are like but we are not up the valley often enough to give up to date condition reports. Rule of thumb is that people have incredible adventures up the Cass, there are always pockets of good snow to be enjoyed and then there are the most epic powder days too and everything in between.

Question 8

Is there lighting in the huts?

Accepted Answer

Yes we have installed solar panels and batteries to run lighting in the huts. Memorial Hut now also has USB charging available.

Question 9

When do we need to check out on the day of departure?

Accepted Answer

You can ski all day on your day of departure but we ask that you be considerate of those who are arriving that day and pack your gear up and clear the beds before heading out skiing. There is no specific check out time.

Question 10

When do you open bookings for the following ski season?

Accepted Answer

We open our online bookings in August each year for the following season. The exact date varies but there is always a mailout to our database once the date is set and it is also posted on Instagram and Facebook.

FAQs