After 33 years running the around-the-clock tourism business, husband-and-wife owners Mike and Louise Neilson said they were calling time.
Mr Neilson, who recently turned 71, said the business had been "our life" but the couple were now planning their retirement.
"We brought up three children, we’ve now got five grandchildren, and we’re still going 24/7 with it.
"We just can’t keep doing that. We’d like to think a nice family would take it over and carry on the heritage," he said.
"It’s just it’s own place really, we’ve always maintained that we’re just the caretakers of something very special. And we’re just passing the baton."
Lake Ōhau Lodge is a 72-room lodge located a 20-minute drive from the 250ha Snow Fields, which operate under concession from the Department of Conservation.
Lake Ōhau, in the Mackenzie High Country, is nestled between the Ōhau Range to the west and the Ben Ōhau range to the east.
CBRE Christchurch managing director Tim Rookes said when the Neilsons took over the lodge, it attracted 5000 visitor nights a year.
Now, it attracted 25,000 visitor nights a year.
It had returned to pre-Covid visitor levels and was still growing, he said.
The lodge was strategically located along the Alps to Ocean Cycle Trail, which attracted visitors year-round, he said.
Buyers had the opportunity to start the next stage of the lodge’s development, which could include renovation of the existing lodge, extension of the facilities on to additional building sites, "or building an entirely new high-end lodge to capitalise on the growing luxury travel market".
"Exciting concepts have been drawn up for two undeveloped building sites on the property, capturing spectacular views up the lake.
"We have also been in discussions with global luxury accommodation operators who have expressed interest in operating a new lodge at Ōhau on behalf of the new owners."
