“Blanket Bay takes advantage of its location in the adventure capital of the world, offering scenic helicopter rides over stunning snow-capped mountains, fly-fishing in pristine trout-filled rivers and heli-skiing some of the finest powder snow skiing on the globe.”
If you don’t fancy getting bronzed over the summer holiday, head to New Zealand’s Blanket Bay Lodge – acclaimed as the country’s best luxury lodge – for some cool weather, high adventure and an up close and personal connection to nature. Combining sheer comfort with a vast array of activities, Blanket Bay takes advantage of its location in the adventure capital of the world, offering scenic helicopter rides over stunning snow-capped mountains, fly-fishing in pristine trout-filled rivers and heli-skiing some of the finest powder snow skiing on the globe.
After checking in to your chalet, where a warm fire crackles in the stone fireplace, the concierge provides you with many different activity options to tailor a customised itinerary during your stay. Discover endless ways to restore your physical and spiritual well-being in this enchanting corner of alpine paradise by starting the week off right with a private 2-hour helicopter bird’s eye view over Milford Sound – home to the second highest waterfall in the southern hemisphere – and Fjordland – from the highest peak of Mt. Tutoko to coastal fjords, glaciers and waterfalls.
If heights are not your idea of a good time, stick to the ground as Blanket Bay is known for some of the most spectacular walking and hiking trails in the world. Arrange to have a knowledgeable guide accompany you for either a day walk along the lakefront or for the adventure of a lifetime, let the concierge customise a four-day hike in one of the nearby national parks. There are unlimited opportunities for never before seen trekking. The Routeburn, Milford, Greenstone and Hollyford tracks offer three to four day guided hikes across a wilderness of valleys and high-mountain passes dotted with alpine gardens. Glaciated lakes, cascading waterfalls, fast flowing rivers and streams, fell fields of tussock-grass, remote beech forest, profusions of alpine wildflowers plus native birds, illusive chamois and fast-footed deer are just some of the natural elements that make this a fascinating part of the world to explore.
Now here’s something you’ve probably never heard of before – fishing by helicopter! From the lawns of Blanket Bay to the most remote rivers of New Zealand’s South Island, you’ll no doubt experience some of the best fly-fishing on the globe. Within 15 minutes of the Lodge by helicopter there are many miles of wilderness rivers and streams – inaccessible to vehicles – and only accessed by foot with great difficulty. Helicopter access makes the most of these virtually untouched waters.
The Lodge can recommend a great fishing plan, arranging helicopter as well as all gear and tackle as needed. Experienced guides possess ‘insider’ knowledge and can take you to stretches of water possibly not fished this season by any other angler, where you can stalk wild Rainbow and Brown trout.
If you are even more adventurous, arrange an exciting full day heli-fishing experience on up to three different rivers. A trip to Fiordland combines sensational scenery with unsurpassed fishing. Alternatively visit the West Coast where rivers flowing into the sea can produce sea run Browns at selected times of the year.
For mountain bikers, Blanket Bay has four ‘Trek 6500’ mountain bikes with aluminum frames of varying sizes for your use. Jump aboard with a picnic lunch to venture further a field into the Rees Valley National Park or Paradise itself.
And for the ultimate adventurer available from July through September, Blanket Bay provides the ideal foundation for a world-class ski or snowboard experience. Contrary to the perception that heli-skiing is only reserved for extreme skiers and snowboarders, New Zealand’s unique geography offers even the intermediate sports-person an opportunity to heli-ski on moderate terrain with your own private helicopter right from the lodge’s doorstep. Each heli-ski option has been carefully designed to offer a great degree of flexibility, allowing everyone to experience the tranquility, freedom and exhilaration of heli-skiing.
