Transport services are available to take you to Rainbow Ski Area from our bottom car park. From State Highway 63, turn right onto Rainbow Valley Road (left if coming from Blenheim) and drive along the 12km sealed road. The road passes through five fords before reaching the mountain bottom car park (shuttle pick-up zone) at Six Mile Creek. Please allow 30-40 minutes to drive from the turn-off to the bottom car park.
If you plan to drive your own vehicle beyond the bottom car park it is our mountain policy that all vehicles carry the appropriate sized chains at all times. Conditions can and do change quickly. If you need to hire chains see below for a list of chain hire services in the area. Please note snow chains can't be hired from the bottom car park. Also note that snow socks and studded tyres are not sufficient for driving up our mountain road. The mountain road is inaccessible to campervans.
The Rainbow 4WD Shuttle Service operates seven days a week on every day that Rainbow is open during the season. Pre-bookings are available online. We strongly advise you either pre-book or check availability for the time you plan to travel to Rainbow Ski Area. Priority will be given to pre-booked passengers.
Departure times from the bottom car park are 9:00, 10:00, and 12:00. Return times are 15:00 and 16:00. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to departure.
On weekdays, the 9:00 shuttle may not be available to book online due to school group trips. Passengers may book online for the 10:00 trip and space permitting, may be able to depart on the 9:00 shuttle instead. If you wish to depart earlier, please arrive at the car park at 8:45 and be prepared to wait until your scheduled departure time in case no space on the earlier trip is available. If you contact the ticket office, we should have an idea of whether this earlier departure will be possible on the day you wish to book.
Click here to make a shuttle booking.
For inquiries phone 03 521-1861.
Fares:
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Adults
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$25.00 (return)
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0-17 years old
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$15.00 (return)
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Family special*
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$65.00 (return)
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School parties**
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$15.00 (return)
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*
Family special includes a maximum of 2 adults & 2 children 0-17 years old.
**School price applies to both adults and children in the school party. This price is available for pre-arranged school groups only.