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Introduction
Arthur's Pass, named after Arthur Dudley Dobson, who discovered it in 1865, connects Canterbury and Westland. Nestled in the Southern Alps on State Highway 73, the pass has become a destination in its own right, and Arthur's Pass village (pop. minuscule) has a growing range of modest accommodations. The area has several ski fields and many short walks; Arthur's Pass National Park is a favorite with trampers. If you like a dramatic landscape and weather conditions to match, this is the place for you.
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Top Things to Do
Top picks for the best activities in Arthur's Pass
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Waimak Alpine Jet
- Thrills abound on this wet and wild ride up the Waimakariri River to the spectacular Waimakariri Canyon, where steep rock walls draped in thick...
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- Water Sports
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Porter Heights
- Porter Heights is the closest commercial ski field to Christchurch (one hour's drive by car), and has a great range of facilities for any keen...
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- Winter Sports
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Mount Hutt
- Open from early May until late October, Mount Hutt has one of the longest seasons in New Zealand. The road to the mountain base is not for the...
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- Winter Sports
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