About Mt Lyford

Mt Lyford is a lovely small settlement at the edge of the Kaikoura Ranges. Because of it’s altitude of around 600m it has an alpine climate. Mt Lyford is conveniently positioned midway between the popular tourist destinations of Kaikoura and Hanmer Springs.

Any season, any time

In winter, it’s a base for snow sport enthusiasts who come to conquer the slopes of Mt Lyford. Or it offers a hideaway for the ones that enjoy the romantic setting of a cabin in the snow.

Other times of the year Mt Lyford is the holiday destination for you if you are looking for a quiet environment, clean air, no distractions, just to be away from the hustle and bustle. Christchurch is just under 2 hrs away which makes it an ideal weekend getaway.

Any pace, leisurely or actively

Mt Lyford is the perfect spot if you’re seeking some peace and quiet. Enjoy the view of the mountains from your comfortable chalet and walk through the hills in the delightfully fresh mountain air. Some lodges come with a hot tub, an ideal way to relax. The night sky here is fantastic and unspoilt by light pollution, so evenings outside bring this place to life. Book a private sauna to increase the wellness experience to even higher levels.
With all chalets hidden in native bush the birdlife is amazing to hear and watch. The dawn chorus is an experience in itself. If you want to add some activities, the choice of walking, hiking, mountain biking, hunting and fishing attracts people to this hidden gem. For the children we offer a big jungle gym playground to let of some steam.

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Any group size

It doesn’t matter if it’s just you two together, with family or with a group of friends.
You’re here to have the best experiences and adventures together. We offer a variety of accommodation to suit your requirements.

Mt Lyford is a great location for destination weddings with all your guests comfortably scattered in chalets around the village for this important life-event. Amazing photo opportunities are easy to find and Mt Lyford lodge is set up for a good party.

History of Mt Lyford

In 1986 Mt Lyford Village and Ski field was developed by D & J Simpson, who formerly farmed this area.The Mt Lyford development was to construct and market an alpine subdivision of 97 large sections with an approximate size of one acre each. 

The alpine village included; roading, water supply, underground power and telephone services. Recreational areas and artificial lakes were also planned and strict building codes were placed on the type of buildings and construction methods use within the subdivision. Only log chalets were allowed to be built with a minimum roof pitch of 45 degrees. In addition to the subdivision a commercial ski field and access road was developed in the overlooking mountains catering for families, including ice-skating, day shelter/cafeteria together with ski tows and car parking. In turn the Mt Lyford ski field was there to compliment the subdivision below.

Mt Lyford Alpine Resort opened the new Mt Terako ski area in 1993. In early 2001 Mt Lyford Lodge was opened offering a fantastic venue at the base of the village with accommodation, restaurant and bar facilities. Currently the Simpson family continues to operate Mt Lyford Alpine Resort ski field.

About Mt Lyford Holiday Homes

How it began …

Mt Lyford Holiday Homes has officially been in business since 2008. Years before this it started off as a request for an on-site manager for 1 house, which grew to 2 and more…
We decided it was time to promote Mt Lyford and all its beauty to the world as the best place to stay for a relaxing holiday, anytime of the year. The first website was built and the number of rentable chalets increased.
Steady growth in rentals has resulted in Ross building our own Eco-chalets on a 5 ha section in Mt Lyford. Since we are surrounded by beautiful nature and are working on different fronts to retain this environment, we felt strongly about building sustainable and eco-friendly. The first 2 Eco-chalets have opened in winter 2013, with 6 more to be built in future.

What we offer …
Mt Lyford Holiday Homes provides all year round unique accommodation for families, groups, couples and bigger events as weddings and birthday parties. Our chalets have also proven to be a ‘target’ for film crews, using our beautiful natural setting for successful film shooting.

All chalets are self-contained holiday houses situated amongst some of the world’s most breathtaking scenery, nestled in private bush with outstanding views on Mt Lyford, the Seaward Kaikoura’s or the North Canterbury coastal foothills. The holiday homes provide a great family getaway haven for those who want to have some quality time without the distraction of TV and cell phones.

Some Chalets also make an ideal small conference venue for those private corporate meetings. Small business groups choose to have their offsite meetings in this refreshing natural setting of Mt Lyford and stay in our well equipped chalets. Use the nearby Mt Lyford Lodge for meals or book Mt Lyford Catering (03 3156523) for food on location. Everything you need to make your stay relaxing and comfortable is provided.

We pride ourselves of a personal and efficient service and we will go the extra mile to make sure you have a wonderful stay. We thank you for coming to our website. Please use Contact Us for your enquiry or book your chalet direct online.

To find out more about our Hurunui district and useful services you can follow these links:

Hurunui Visitor Centre

Alpine Pacific Touring Route