Glacier Ski Touring Trip
Experience skiing in big glaciated terrain!Glacier Ski Touring Trip
Big open landscape, massive glaciers surrounded by impressive mountains, views on the Tasman sea or looking straight to Aorki/Mt Cook while skiing…. Fresh tracks on cold powder or long spring snow skis run, and great vibes, what a dream!
Join Summit Explorers Mountain Guides team on an epic glacier ski touring trip in the most spectacular and remote locations of the Southern Alps and New Zealand for a memorable ski experience !
A perfect ski touring trip to enjoy an increadible alpine environment, learn new skills and have a great ski time. New Zealand’s glaciers are a truely unique location, it is a priviledge to be able to explore them on skis!
Imagine carving fresh tracks through untouched snow, surrounded by towering peaks, massive glaciers, and panoramic views stretching all the way to the Tasman Sea. Now imagine doing it with the Souther Alps highest peaks rising above you. A breathtaking alpine backdrop to one of the most unique ski adventures on the planet. This is glacier ski touring in New Zealand, and it’s nothing short of extraordinary.
Join the Summit Explorers Mountain Guides for a truly unforgettable ski touring experience in the remote and spectacular corners of the Southern Alps. Our glacier ski tours take you far beyond the crowded resorts and into the wild heart of the mountains, where the landscape is vast, dramatic, and endlessly rewarding. Whether you’re gliding down cold winter snow or linking big turns in smooth spring corn, the skiing is as varied as it is exhilarating.
These trips are more than just about great snow — they’re about immersing yourself in a world that few get to see. New Zealand’s glaciers are a rare and fragile environment, and exploring them on skis is a privilege. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to learn new skills, gain confidence in glacial terrain, and enjoy the camaraderie and good vibes that come with traveling through the mountains as a team.
Our certified guides handle all the planning, logistics, and safety, so you can focus on what really matters: skiing amazing lines in one of the most beautiful alpine settings in the world. Whether you’re a seasoned ski tourer or looking to expand your horizons, this trip promises challenge, inspiration, and memories that will last a lifetime.
Ready for the dream trip? Come ski the glaciers of the Southern Alps with us.
LOCATION
This Glacier Ski Touring trip will either be held in the Tasman Glacier, or the West Coast Glaciers.
Tasman Glacier, located in Aoraki/Mt Cook NP is the longuest glacier of the Southern Alps. Two huts, Tasman Saddle hut and Kelman hut are nested at the head of the glacier, allowing a perfect stay for the adventurious ski-tourers.
West Coast Glaciers, located in Westland Tai Poutini NP, are composed of different glaciers, but the biggest ones are the Fox and the Franz-Josef Glaciers. 4 alpine huts can be used for overnight stay, Pioneer hut and Chancelor hut on the Fox Glacier, Centenial hut and Almer hut on the Franz-Josef Glacier.
ski difficulty
Skiing on glaciers can be achievable for good all around skiers used to skiing in the Backcountry on non groomed runs. The days are usually long, with multiple ski runs, involving multiple skinning, so being in good shape and relatively fit is usually recomanded. Depending on the group level, different steepness & slope angles can be targeted as daily objectives for this glacier ski touring trip.
Trip Info
LOCATION
Tasman Glacier / West Coast Glaciers
DATES
August to end of October
DURATION
4 to 6 day trip
SKI TOURING DIFFICULTY
Advanced
GUIDE TO CLIENT RATIO / GROUP SIZE
1 Guide for 4 people max
Private group only
PRICE
From NZ$2,490/pers
Itinerary
The itineray will vary, depending on the weather and snow conditions at the time of the glacier ski touring trip. Here is a quick snip at what it would be:
Day 0. Meet in Wanaka, gear check
Day 1. Travel to location, either Mt Cook Village or Fox. then Heli access to one of the huts where we drop our gear for the nights and food for the trips. Usually we do a Ski Tour close to the hut.
Day 2, 3, 4 & 5. Early start then ski tour from the hut. Back to the hut end of the afternon after a full day out.
Day 6. Early start then ski out for long ski run to the lower part of the glacier for an low heli pick up. Back to Wanaka.
Dates & Pricing
PRICE - 4 DAY GLACIER SKI TOURING TRIP
| 1 pers. | NZ$ 5,090 |
| 2 pers. | NZ$ 2,950/pers. |
| 3 pers. | NZ$ 2,490/pers. |
| 4 pers. | NZ$ 2,490/pers. |
PRICE - 5 DAY GLACIER SKI TOURING TRIP
| 1 pers. | NZ$ 6,190 |
| 2 pers. | NZ$ 3,450/pers. |
| 3 pers. | NZ$ 2,790/pers. |
| 4 pers. | NZ$ 2,790/pers. |
PRICE - 6 DAY GLACIER SKI TOURING TRIP
| 1 pers. | NZ$ 7,290 |
| 2 pers. | NZ$ 3,950/pers. |
| 3 pers. | NZ$ 3,290/pers. |
| 4 pers. | NZ$ 3,290/pers. |
DATES
August to end of October – Flexible dates
EXTRA WEATHER DAY
NZ$650/group
TRIP INCLUSION
- IFMGA/NZMGA Mountain & Ski Guide
- Ground transport from Wanaka
- Technical climbing & ski gear
- All mountain meals + snacks
- Alpine huts fee
- GST
TRIP EXCLUSIONS
- Helicopter Flights
- Personal equipment
- Ski touring gear
- Appropriate skiing clothes
- Personal Insurance
- Cancellation Insurance
Frequently Asked Questions
Extra Weather Day, What this is?
It’s a NON-GUIDED day, to add-on at the begining and/or the end of your trip at the time of booking, to guaranty the availiability of the guide, in the event of bad weather and the trip’s dates have to be shiftted slightly. The price is per group and per day and does not include accomodation or meals.
What If the weather is bad for my trip ?
The Southern Alps in New Zealand is a worldwide desired climbing and skiing destination due to its remoteness and wilderness beauty. Windows of nice settled weather between fronts are oftern in place. But as for all mountain ranges in the world, the Southern Alps also has challenging weather. After all, it’s a long, high mountain range located on a tiny island surounded by the Tasman Sea and the Southern Pacific Ocean…
Summit Explorers Mountain Guides are well experienced in judging the weather and conditions to provide you the best possible trip. They will go above and beyond to make the trip happen. But sometimes, it’s out of our control, so if the weather remains terrible and prevents the trip from happenning as originally planned, you will be offered a different location and/or climb. There will be no refund for bad weather and conditions. However, depending of the agreement and avaibility of the guide, an arrangment could be discussed to postpone the trip at a different date.
Should I get a trip insurance
We strongly advice that all clients purchase travel and cancellation insurance that specifically covers cancellation due to injury or illness as well as weather cancellation. This is highly recommended for all trips with Summit Explorers due to the nature of the trips we provide. We have a relationship with the provider Global Rescue which has an option which includes a “Cancel for any Reason” policy. Rescue and Extraction is covered by ACC in New Zealand, however ACC does not cover for any trip cancellation. Insurance policy costs will vary based on age, duration of trip and coverage selected. . You can learn more and get a free quote here: Global Rescue by Summit Explorers
How do I get to Wanaka
Queenstown airport is the closest to Wanaka. There are regular shuttles which service Wanaka.
For shuttle and taxi information:
Summit explorers Terms and Conditions
Please visit our Booking terms and conditions page
Why Choose Summit Explorers
YEARS OF INTERNATIONAL GUIDING EXPERIENCE
Our Company and our incredible team of mountain guides are passionate, talented climbers and skiers who have a extremely valuable guiding experience in the New Zeland mountains and Internationally.
SAFETY FOCUSED
Our number one priority is insuring that every body that join us on a trip, will enjoy a safe one! Certified Mountain Guides are trained to perform at the highest international standards of skills and safety.
GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND
Adaptative to your needs and dreams, always on the search to make your mountain journey a memorable one, that’s what we do and how we guide.
Book your Glacier Ski Touring Trip
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