Route guide / Ohau / Ohau Range

Ohau’s Northern Bowls, Ohau Range

A ski-field-accessed tour to the bowls north of Ohau ski field, with short approaches, broad ridge travel, and fall-line east-facing skiing.

By JMR Published 2019-07-03 Reviewed 2026-04-28
1 day Moderate Ski fieldFoot
Duration1 day
DifficultyModerate
AccessSki field / Foot
SeasonMid-winter to spring
AspectEast bowls and ridge options
AvalancheOhau
Historical route information only.

Conditions, access, snowpack, roads, huts, and permissions can change quickly. Check current sources before committing.

Structured overview

Route summary

The bowls north of Ohau ski field are described as excellent but often overlooked compared with nearby objectives.

From point 1952 there is fall-line bowl skiing east toward Lake Ohau, generally around 25-30 degrees.

The bowl below point 1848 is described as a favourite because its undulating terrain and varied aspects often preserve good snow.

Further travel north toward point 1675 gives views over the Dobson and Hopkins Valleys, Mt Glenmary, the Ben Ohau Range, and Aoraki/Mt Cook.

Access notes

Access is from Ohau ski field, either by a one-off lift pass or a 30-40 minute skin from the base lodge.

From the top lift, skin north along the ridge toward point 1952 and the bowls beyond.

Safety notes

The ridge is often wind affected and may require skis on packs where westerlies have stripped the snow.

The bowls can be navigated safely in good conditions, but the original report notes they have avalanched to lake level and blocked the road.

Steeper return chutes into the ski field can be rocky, around 45 degrees, and may not go all the way.