The Bad Decision
New Zealand's Highest Whisky Hut
Perched at 2,100 metres (6,800 feet) on a remote mountain saddle, The Bad Decision is more than a destination-it's a private alpine escape found nowhere else on earth.
Exclusive to Mackenzie Helicopters and located on Glenmore Station, this high-altitude retreat offers 360-degree views of the Southern Alps and a level of silence that is truly soul-stirring.
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Whether you're here for a milestone celebration or the ultimate afternoon with mates, this is New Zealand's most authentic, remote whisky and golf experience.
The Whisky Hut Experience
Every visit to the hut is entirely bespoke and designed for total solitude.
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World-Class Views: Uninterrupted vistas of glaciers, U-shaped valleys, and New Zealand's tallest peaks.
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Premium Whisky: Savour a curated selection of fine whiskies in a rugged, authentic high-country setting.
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High-Altitude Golf: Take a swing at the world's most scenic driving range. Launch biodegradable golf balls from the saddle into the vast mountain valley below.
Accessing the Whisky Hut
Tucked away in the Cass Valley on the historic 19,000-hectare Glenmore Station, the hut borders Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. To maintain its absolute serenity, there are only two ways to reach the pass:
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By Helicopter: Exclusive access with Mackenzie Helicopters involves a breathtaking scenic flight from our base in Lake Tekapo to the hut. See our range of experiences here.
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By Human Power: For the adventurers-access via ski touring or hiking. As Glenmore Station is privately owned, all access needs to be approved. Visit glenmorestation.co.nz.
The Legend of the Name
Built in 2020, the hut's name is as memorable as its location. Will and Emily are fifth-generation farmers who operate Glenmore, a high-country station wedged between Lake Tekapo and the towering peaks of the Gamack Range. As avid skiers and whisky enthusiasts, the idea for the hut was born during a "well-lubricated" evening with friends-a plan to build a shelter where skiers could enjoy a high-altitude dram.
The name "The Bad Decision" was born when Will, after a few whiskies at the hut, decided to take one last ski run down the valley instead of taking the helicopter. After multiple falls within 200 metres, he declared his attempt a definitive "Bad Decision" - and the name stuck.
Our Commitment to the Land
At the heart of The Bad Decision is Kaitiakitanga-our promise to protect this environment for future generations.
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Leave No Trace: We operate a strict policy where all waste is helicoptered out, leaving the alpine environment untouched.
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Sustainability: Our golf balls are made from natural, biodegradable materials that dissolve completely, ensuring zero impact on the valley's ecosystem.
The Heart of the High Country: Glenmore Station
The Bad Decision sits within the spectacular Cass Valley, a landscape of waterfalls, lateral moraines, and golden tussock terraces. As guardians of this land, the Murray family is dedicated to protecting the braided river systems below, which provide critical habitat for some of the world's rarest birds, including the Black Stilt (Kaki), Wrybill, and Black-Fronted Tern.
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When you visit the Whisky Hut, you aren't just visiting a building; you are stepping into a piece of living high-country history and supporting a unique ecosystem.
Learn more at www.glenmorestation.co.nz.
