“The Christmas Spirit.”

At the Mount Cook Hermitage there is ever a season of merriment, indoors and out. This hostel is renowned for its “Christmas Spirit.” Whether this joyousness proves more intensive in winter than in summer depends on the individual.

“I have visited the old and the new Hermitage in summer between thirty and forty times during the last thirty-six years, and I am satisfied that there is more pleasure to be found there in winter than in the summer,” declared the late Sir John Findlay. “The great building is most comfortable. The heating system is up-to-date, and thoroughly efficient and reliable, and the electrical installation for light, radiators, and cooking is one of the best in New Zealand.”

After the happy hours of ski-ing, tobogganing, skating, glissading, amid peerless scenes of sparkling majesty, the holiday-makers have the roaring log fires, songs and stories and radio music, and dancing, billiards, and cards.

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Cosy huts at the principal glaciers are bases for very thrilling glides and slides on far-reaching snowfields, and the fireside nights in those lonely outposts have their own special charm.

Norwegian and New Zealand ski experts are available for the coaching of novices, who soon learn how to glide swiftly over the snowfields.